medsurge prep u osteoarthritis nclex questions

A nurse is managing the care of a client with osteoarthritis. What is the appropriate treatment strategy the nurse will teach the about for osteoarthritis? vigorous physical therapy for the joints. administration of opioids for pain control. administration of monthly intra-articular injections of corticosteroids. administration of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)

administration of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) Explanation: NSAIDs are routinely used for anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects. NSAIDs reduce inflammation, which causes pain. Opioids aren't used for pain control in osteoarthritis. Intra-articular injection of corticosteroids is used cautiously for an immediate, short-term effect when a joint is acutely inflamed. Normal joint range of motion and exercise (not vigorous physical therapy) are encouraged to maintain mobility and reduce joint stiffness.

The nurse is teaching a client with osteoarthritis about the disease. What is the most important client focus for disease management? disease-modifying antirheumatic drug therapy detection of systemic complications prevention of joint deformity strategies for remaining active

strategies for remaining active Explanation: The goals of osteoarthritis disease management are to decrease pain and stiffness and improve joint mobility. Strategies for remaining active are the most important client focus. The detection of complications, disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs management, and prevention of joint deformity are considerations, but not the most important priorities for the client.

Which is an appropriate nursing intervention in the care of the client with osteoarthritis? Encourage weight loss and an increase in aerobic activity Avoid the use of topical analgesics Provide an analgesic after exercise Assess for gastrointestinal complications associated with COX-2 inhibitors

Encourage weight loss and an increase in aerobic activity Explanation: Weight loss and an increase in aerobic activity such as walking, with special attention to quadriceps strengthening, are important approaches to pain management. Clients should be assisted to plan their daily exercise at a time when the pain is least severe, or plan to use an analgesic, if appropriate, before an exercise session. Gastrointestinal complications, especially bleeding, are associated with the use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Topical analgesics such as capsaicin and methyl salicylate may be used for pain management. Reference:

What intervention is a priority for a client diagnosed with osteoarthritis? Allopurinol Colchicine Physical therapy and exercise Hydrotherapy

Physical therapy and exercise Explanation: Clients with osteoarthritis need to maintain joint mobility. To preserve joint function, individuals need to learn appropriate activities. Colchicine and allopurinol are used for gout, not osteoarthritis. Hydrotherapy is not a priority for care.

The nurse is completing a health history with a client in a clinic. What assessment finding best correlates with a diagnosis of osteoarthritis? fever and malaise erythema and edema over the affected joint joint stiffness that decreases with activity anorexia and weight loss

joint stiffness that decreases with activity Explanation: A characteristic feature of osteoarthritis (degenerative joint disease) is joint stiffness that decreases with activity and movement. Erythema and edema over the affected joint, anorexia, weight loss, and fever and malaise are associated with rheumatoid arthritis, a more severe and destructive form of arthritis.

The nurse is performing a health history with a new client in the clinic. What is the mostcommon reason for a client to seek medical attention for arthritis? weakness stiffness pain joint swelling

pain Explanation: The symptom that most commonly causes a person to seek medical attention is pain. Other common symptoms include joint swelling, limited movement, stiffness, weakness, and fatigue.

A client with osteoarthritis expresses concerns that the disease will prevent the ability to complete daily chores. Which suggestion should the nurse offer? "Do all your chores in the evening, when pain and stiffness are least pronounced." "Do all your chores in the morning, when pain and stiffness are least pronounced." "Do all your chores after performing morning exercises to loosen up." "Pace yourself and rest frequently, especially after activities."

"Pace yourself and rest frequently, especially after activities." Explanation: A client with osteoarthritis must adapt to this chronic and disabling disease, which causes deterioration of the joint cartilage. The most common symptom of the disease is deep, aching joint pain, particularly in the morning and after exercise and weight-bearing activities. Because rest usually relieves the pain, the nurse should instruct the client to rest frequently, especially after activities, and to pace oneself during daily activities. Telling the client to do chores in the morning is incorrect because the pain and stiffness of osteoarthritis are most pronounced in the morning. Telling the client to do all chores after performing morning exercises or in the evening is incorrect because the client should pace oneself and take frequent rests rather than doing all chores at once.

A client is taking ibuprofen for the treatment of osteoarthritis. What education will the nurse give the client about the medication? Take the medication on an empty stomach in order to increase effectiveness. Since the medication is able to be obtained over the counter, it has few side effects. Take the medication with food to avoid stomach upset. Inform the health care provider if there is ringing in the ears.

Take the medication with food to avoid stomach upset. Explanation: Ibuprofen is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug. The nurse should advise the patient to take NSAIDs with food to avoid stomach upset. Ibuprofen is available over the counter, but it still has side effects. Aspirin is known to cause ringing in the ears, not NSAIDs.

A client asks the nurse what the difference is between osteoarthritis (OA) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Which response is correct? "OA and RA are very similar. OA affects the smaller joints and RA affects the larger, weight-bearing joints." "OA is more common in women. RA is more common in men." "OA affects joints on both sides of the body. RA is usually unilateral." "OA is a noninflammatory joint disease. RA is characterized by inflamed, swollen joints."

"OA is a noninflammatory joint disease. RA is characterized by inflamed, swollen joints." Explanation: OA is a degenerative arthritis, characterized by the loss of cartilage on the articular surfaces of weight-bearing joints with spur development. RA is characterized by inflammation of synovial membranes and surrounding structures. OA may occur in one hip or knee and not the other, whereas RA commonly affects the same joints bilaterally. RA is more common in women; OA affects both sexes equally.

The nurse teaches the client that osteoarthritis is: requires early treatment because most of the damage appears to occur early in the course of the disease. affects young males. the most common and frequently disabling of joint disorders. affects the cartilaginous joints of the spine and surrounding tissues.

the most common and frequently disabling of joint disorders. Explanation: The functional impact of osteoarthritis on quality of life, especially for elderly clients, is often ignored. Reiter syndrome is a spondyloarthropathy that affects young adult males and is characterized primarily by urethritis, arthritis, and conjunctivitis. Psoriatic arthritis, characterized by synovitis, polyarthritis, and spondylitis, requires early treatment because of early damage caused by disease. Ankylosing spondylitis affects the cartilaginous joints of the spine and surrounding tissues and is usually diagnosed in the second or third decade of life.