Exam 65: Nursing Management: Arthritis and Connective Tissue Diseases

Which information will the nurse include when teaching a patient with newly diagnosed ankylosing spondylitis (AS) about the management of the condition?

While working at a summer camp, the nurse notices a circular lesion with a red border and clear center on the arm of a patient who is in the camp clinic complaining of chills and muscle aches. Which action should the nurse take next?

Prednisone (Deltasone) is prescribed for a patient with an acute exacerbation of rheumatoid arthritis. Which laboratory result will the nurse monitor to determine whether the medication has been effective?

A long-term care patient who takes multiple medications develops acute gouty arthritis. The nurse will consult with the health care provider before giving the prescribed dose of

After the nurse has finished teaching a patient with osteoarthritis ( OA ) of the left hip and knee about how to manage the OA, which patient statement indicates a need for more education?

A patient hospitalized with polymyositis has joint pain, an erythematosus facial rash with eyelid edema, and a weak, hoarse voice. The priority nursing diagnosis for the patient is

Which finding will the nurse expect when assessing a 60-year-old patient who has osteoarthritis ( OA ) of the left knee?

The nurse obtains this information when assessing a patient who is taking hydroxychloroquine (Plaquenil) to treat rheumatoid arthritis. Which symptom is most important to report to the health care provider?

When helping a patient with rheumatoid arthritis ( RA ) plan a daily routine, the nurse informs the patient that it is most helpful to start the day with

Anakinra ( Kineret ) is prescribed for a patient who has rheumatoid arthritis ( RA ). When teaching the patient about this drug, the nurse will include information about

A 26-year-old patient with urethritis and knee pain is diagnosed with reactive arthritis. The nurse will plan to teach the patient about the need for several months of therapy with

When the nurse is reviewing laboratory results for a patient with systemic lupus erythematosus ( SLE ), which result is most important to communicate to the health care provider?

When the nurse is reviewing laboratory data for a patient who is taking methotrexate ( Rheumatrex ) to treat rheumatoid arthritis, which information is most important to communicate to the health care provider?

A 22-year-old patient hospitalized with a fever and red, hot, and painful knees is suspected of having septic arthritis. Information obtained during the nursing history that indicates a risk factor for septic arthritis is that the patient

A patient with an exacerbation of rheumatoid arthritis ( RA ) is taking prednisone ( Deltasone ) 40 mg daily. Which of these assessment data obtained by the nurse indicate that the patient is experiencing a side effect of the medication?

A patient with rheumatoid arthritis refuses to take the prescribed methotrexate (Rheumatrex), telling the nurse "That drug has too many side effects. My arthritis isn't that bad yet." The most appropriate response by the nurse is

A patient who has rheumatoid arthritis is seen in the outpatient clinic and the nurse notes that rheumatoid nodules are present on the patient's elbows. Which action will the nurse take?

The home health nurse is doing a follow-up visit to a patient with recently diagnosed rheumatoid arthritis ( RA ). Which assessment made by the nurse indicates that more patient teaching is needed?

A 35-year-old patient with three school-age children who has recently been diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis ( RA ) tells the nurse that the inability to be involved in many family activities is causing stress at home. Which response by the nurse is most appropriate?

The health care provider has prescribed the following collaborative interventions for a 49-year-old who is taking azathioprine ( Imuran ) for systemic lupus erythematosus. Which order will the nurse question?