MS3 - Ch. 38: Rheumatic Disorders

The nurse is reviewing the medication administration record of the client. Which medication would lead the nurse to suspect that the client is suffering from an acute attack of gout?

colchicine Colchicine is prescribed for the treatment of an acute attack of gout.

The nurse is teaching a client about the characteristics of osteoarthritis. How will the nurse determine the client teaching was successful?

Clients may develop Heberden nodes. Heberden nodes are a characteristic finding of osteoarthritis. Swan neck deformity, boutonniere deformity, and ulnar deviation are characteristic of rheumatoid arthritis.

The nurse is performing discharge teaching for a client with rheumatoid arthritis. What teachings are priorities for the client? Select all that apply.

-Assistive devices -Safe exercise -Medication dosages and side effects The client with rheumatoid arthritis who is being discharged to home needs information on how to exercise safely to maintain joint mobility. Medication doses and side effects are always an essential part of discharge teaching. Assistive devices, such as splints, walkers, and canes, may assist the client to perform safe self-care. Narcotics are not commonly used, and there would be no reason for dressings.

A nurse is teaching a client about rheumatoid arthritis. Which statement by the client indicates understanding of the disease process?

"It will get better and worse again." The client demonstrates understanding of rheumatoid arthritis if he expresses that it's an unpredictable disease characterized by periods of exacerbation and remission. There's no cure for rheumatoid arthritis, but symptoms can be managed. Surgery may be indicated in some cases.

Which client is most likely to develop systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)?

A 27-year-old Black female SLE strikes nearly 10 times as many women as men and is most common in women between ages 15 and 40. SLE affects more Black women than white women; its incidence is about 1 in every 250 Black women, compared to 1 in every 700 white women.

A nurse is preparing a client with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) for discharge. Which instruction should the nurse include in the teaching plan?

"Monitor your body temperature." The nurse should instruct the client to monitor body temperature. Fever can signal an exacerbation and should be reported to the physician. Sunlight and other sources of ultraviolet light may precipitate severe skin reactions and exacerbate the disease. Fatigue can cause a flare-up of SLE. Clients should be encouraged to pace activities and plan rest periods. Corticosteroids must be gradually tapered because they can suppress the function of the adrenal gland. Abruptly stopping corticosteroids can cause adrenal insufficiency, a potentially life-threatening situation.

A client with rheumatoid arthritis arrives at the clinic for a checkup. Which statement by the client refers to the most overt clinical manifestation of rheumatoid arthritis?

"My finger joints are oddly shaped." Joint abnormalities are the most obvious manifestations of rheumatoid arthritis. A systemic disease, rheumatoid arthritis attacks all connective tissue. Although muscle weakness may occur from limited use of the joint where the muscle attaches, such weakness isn't the most obvious sign of rheumatoid arthritis; also, it occurs only after joint abnormalities arise. Subcutaneous nodules in the hands, although common in rheumatoid arthritis, are painless. The disease may cause gait disturbances, but these follow joint abnormalities.

The nurse is teaching a client about rheumatic disease. What statement best helps to explain autoimmunity?

"Your symptoms are a result of your body attacking itself." In autoimmunity, the body mistakes its own tissue for foreign tissue and begins to attack it. Symptoms develop as the body destroys tissue. The body is in effect attacking itself. The other statements do not explain autoimmunity.

A client is admitted with an acute attack of gout. What interventions are essential for this client? Select all that apply.

-Serum uric acid concentration -Probenecid -Corticosteroid therapy -Pain medication Steroids may be used in clients who have not responded to other therapies. They have been shown to decrease inflammation and pain in attacks of gout. Probenecid will assist in the excretion of uric acid, the causative agent. Serum uric acid concentrations will guide therapy and treatment. A dietary consult can wait until the client the acute, painful period is over but will be a necessary nursing intervention for a client experiencing gout.

A client with rheumatoid arthritis comes to the clinic for a second dose of etanercept. The dose prescribed is 25 mg subcutaneously. The medication is available in 50 mg per milliliter. How many milliliters will the nurse administer to the client? Record your answer using one decimal place.

0.5 25 mg/50 mg per mL = 0.5 mL.

As part of the assessment process for a client suspected of having gout, the nurse evaluated the client's serum uric acid levels. Select the value that is considered above the saturation point for crystal formation.

6.8 mg/dL (0.40 mmol/L) Hyperuricemia, a serum uric acid concentration above 6.8 mg/dL (0.40 mol/L) can cause urate crystal deposition which can lead to gout.

A client is experiencing an acute exacerbation of rheumatoid arthritis. What should the nursing priority be?

Administering ordered analgesics and monitoring their effects An acute exacerbation of rheumatoid arthritis can be very painful, and the nurse should make pain management her priority. Client teaching, skin care, and supplying adaptive devices are important, but these actions don't not take priority over pain management.

The nurse is caring for a client with rheumatoid arthritis who suffers with chronic pain in the hands. When would be the best time for the nurse to perform range-of-motion exercises?

After the client has had a warm paraffin hand bath Whether resting or moving, clients in this stage of the disease have considerable chronic pain, which typically is worse in the morning after a night's rest. Warmth helps decrease the symptoms of pain and will be the best time to perform range of motion exercises.

Which term refers to fixation or immobility of a joint?

Ankylosis Ankylosis is the fixation or immobility of a joint. It may result from a disease process or from scarring due to trauma. Hemarthrosis refers to bleeding into a joint. Diarthrodial refers to a joint with two freely moving parts. Arthroplasty refers to replacement of a joint.

Which of the following procedures involves a surgical fusion of the joint?

Arthrodesis An arthrodesis is a surgical fusion of the joint. Synovectomy is the excision of the synovial membrane. Tenorrhaphy is the suturing of a tendon. An osteotomy alters the distribution of the weight within the joint.

The nurse intervenes to assist the client with fibromyalgia to cope with which symptoms?

Chronic fatigue, generalized muscle aching, and stiffness Fibromyalgia is a common condition that involves chronic fatigue, generalized muscle aching, and stiffness. The cause is unknown, and no pathologic characteristics specific for the condition have been identified. Treatment consists of attention to the specific symptoms reported by the client. NSAIDs may be used to treat the diffuse muscle aching and stiffness. Tricyclic antidepressants are used to improve or restore normal sleep patterns, and individualized programs of exercise are used to decrease muscle weakness and discomfort and to improve the general deconditioning that occurs in these individuals.

The nurse is teaching a client about the characteristics of osteoarthritis. The nurse determines the client teaching was successful when the client states that which of the following may occur with osteoarthritis?

Clients may develop Heberden nodes. Heberden nodes are a characteristic finding of osteoarthritis. Swan neck deformity, boutonniere deformity, and ulnar deviation are characteristic of rheumatoid arthritis.

A client with osteoarthritis asks for information concerning activity and exercise. When assisting the client, which concept should be included?

Delaying exercise for at least 1 hour after awakening allows the client to participate in exercise after some of the morning-related stiffness has subsided. A client with osteoarthritis has increased stiffness in the morning upon awakening. Exercise should be scheduled at least 1 hour after awakening. Exercising in the evening interferes with the client's ability to rest at bedtime.

A client is complaining of severe pain in the left great toe. What lab studies that the nurse reviews indicate that the client may have gout?

Elevated uric acid levels Gout is characterized by hyperuricemia (accumulation of uric acid in the blood) caused by alterations in uric acid production, excretion, or both. An elevated white blood count may be indicative of any inflammatory response and is not specific to gout. A decreased hemoglobin and hematocrit may indicate bleeding from somewhere in the body. Increased AST and ALT would indicate liver dysfunction.

The nurse is reviewing the diagnostic test findings of a client with rheumatoid arthritis. What would the nurse expect to find?

Elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate The erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) may be elevated, particularly as the disease progresses. ESR shows inflammation associated with RA. Red blood cell count and C4 complement component are decreased. Serum protein electrophoresis may disclose increased levels of gamma and alpha globulin but decreased albumin.

Which is an appropriate nursing intervention in the care of the client with osteoarthritis?

Encourage weight loss and an increase in aerobic activity 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.

A nurse assesses a client in the health care provider's office. Which assessment findings support a suspicion of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)?

Facial erythema, pericarditis, pleuritis, fever, and weight loss An autoimmune disorder characterized by chronic inflammation of the connective tissues, SLE causes fever, weight loss, malaise, fatigue, skin rashes, and polyarthralgia. Nearly half of clients with SLE have facial erythema, (the classic butterfly rash). SLE also may cause profuse proteinuria (excretion of more than 0.5 g/day of protein), pleuritis, pericarditis, photosensitivity, and painless mucous membrane ulcers. Weight gain, hypervigilance, hypothermia, and edema of the legs and arms don't suggest SLE.

A client who has been diagnosed with osteoarthritis asks if he or she will eventually begin to notice deformities in the hands and fingers as the condition progresses. Which concept should the nurse include in the response?

Hand and finger deformities are associated with the development of rheumatoid arthritis. The nurse should explain to the client that joint deformities occur with rheumatoid arthritis, not osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis typically follows a pattern of cartilage destruction and increased pain. The nurse is part of the interdisciplinary health care team and is capable of answering the client's questions about the typical progression of disease.

A patient is hospitalized with a severe case of gout. The patient has gross swelling of the large toe and rates pain a 10 out of 10. With a diagnosis of gout, what should the laboratory results reveal?

Hyperuricemia Gout is caused by hyperuricemia (increased serum uric acid).

A client is being discharged from the hospital after being diagnosed with and treated for systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). What would the nurse not say when teaching the client and family information about managing the disease?

If you have problems with a medication, you may stop it until your next physician visit. Take medications exactly as directed and do not stop the medication if symptoms are relieved unless advised to do so by the physician. Sunlight tends to exacerbate the disease. Because fatigue is a major issue, allow for adequate rest, along with regular activity to promote mobility and prevent joint stiffness. Maintain a well-balanced diet and increase fluid intake to raise energy levels and promote tissue healing.

Scleroderma typically begins with the involvement of which system?

Integumentary Scleroderma begins with skin involvement. The disease does not begin with respiratory, urinary, or cardiovascular involvement.

Which points should be included in the medication teaching plan for a client taking adalimumab?

It is important to monitor for injection site reactions. It is important to monitor for injection site reactions when taking adalimumab. The medication is injected subcutaneously and must be refrigerated. The medication should be withheld if fever occurs.

A client has a serum study that is positive for the rheumatoid factor. What will the nurse tell the client about the significance of this test result?

It is suggestive of rheumatoid arthritis. Rheumatoid factor is present in about 70% to 80% of patients with rheumatoid arthritis, but its presence alone is not diagnostic of rheumatoid arthritis, and its absence does not rule out the diagnosis. The antinuclear antibody (ANA) test is used to diagnose Sjögren's syndrome and systemic lupus erythematosus.

A client with degenerative joint disease asks the nurse for suggestions to avoid unusual stress on the joints. Which suggestion would be most appropriate?

Maintain good posture. The nurse needs to remind the client with degenerative joint disease to maintain good posture. While the client need not maintain complete bed rest, performing aerobic exercises is not advisable as it may place undue stress on the joint worsening the condition. Shifting weight from one foot to the other does not help avoid unusual stress on a joint.

Which joint is most commonly affected in gout?

Metatarsophalangeal The metatarsophalangeal joint of the big toe is the most commonly affected joint (90% of clients); this is referred to as podagra. The wrists, fingers, and elbows are less commonly affected. The tarsal area, ankle, and knee are not the most commonly affected in gout.

A client with rheumatoid arthritis reports joint pain. What intervention is a priority to assist the client?

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are the mainstay of treatment for rheumatoid arthritis pain. They help to decrease inflammation in the joints. Heat, rather than ice packs, is used to relieve pain. Paraffin baths may also help. Surgery is reserved for joint replacement when the joint is no longer functional; it is not an intervention specific to relieving pain.

Which is the leading cause of disability and pain in the elderly?

Osteoarthritis (OA) Osteoarthritis is the leading cause of disability and pain in the elderly. RA, SLE, and scleroderma are not leading causes of disability and pain in the elderly.

Which connective tissue disorder is characterized by insoluble collagen being formed and accumulating excessively in the tissues?

Scleroderma Scleroderma occurs initially in the skin but also occurs in blood vessels, major organs, and body systems, potentially resulting in death. Rheumatoid arthritis results from an autoimmune response in the synovial tissue, with damage taking place in body joints. SLE is an immunoregulatory disturbance that results in increased autoantibody production. In polymyalgia rheumatic, immunoglobulin is deposited in the walls of inflamed temporal arteries.

Which of the following disorders is characterized by an increased autoantibody production?

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) SLE is an immunoregulatory disturbance that results in increased autoantibody production. Scleroderma occurs initially in the skin but also occurs in blood vessels, major organs, and body systems, potentially resulting in death. Rheumatoid arthritis results from an autoimmune response in the synovial tissue, with damage taking place in body joints. In polymyalgia rheumatic, immunoglobulin is deposited in the walls of inflamed temporal arteries.

Which term indicates an accumulation of crystalline depositions in articular surfaces, bones, soft tissue, and cartilage?

Tophi Tophi, when problematic, are surgically excised. Subchondral bone refers to a bony plate that supports the articular cartilage. Pannus refers to newly formed synovial tissue infiltrated with inflammatory cells. Joint effusion refers to the escape of fluid from the blood vessels or lymphatic vessels into the joint cavity.

Which newer pharmacological therapy, used to treat osteoarthritis, is thought to prevent the loss of cartilage and repair chondral defects, as well as have some anti-inflammatory effects?

Viscosupplementation Viscosupplementation, the intra-articular injection of hyaluronates, is thought to prevent the loss of cartilage and repair chondral defects. It may also have some anti-inflammatory effects. Glucosamine and chondroitin are thought to improve tissue function and retard breakdown of cartilage. Capsaicin is a topical analgesic.

A client is recovering from an attack of gout. What will the nurse include in the client teaching?

Weight loss will reduce uric acid levels and reduce stress on joints. Weight loss will reduce uric acid levels and reduce stress on joints. Weight loss will not reduce purine levels, reduce inflammation, or increase uric acid levels.

A client with rheumatoid arthritis tells the nurse about experiencing mild tinnitus, gastric intolerance, and rectal bleeding. What medication does the nurse suspect is causing these side effects?

aspirin Salicylates like aspirin may have side effects such as tinnitus, gastric intolerance and bleeding. While celecoxib, methotrexate, and hydroxychloroquine have GI upset effects, the tinnitus is unique to aspirin.

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?

administration of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) 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.

A client was seen in the clinic for musculoskeletal pain, fatigue, mood disorders, and sleep disturbances. The physician has diagnosed fibromyalgia. What would not be a part of teaching plan for this condition?

applications of ice Application of ice is not part of the treatment regimen. Encouraging the client to eat a healthy diet, avoiding caffeine and alcohol, regular exercise, and stress reduction are part of the teaching plan.

Fibromyalgia is a common condition that involves

chronic fatigue, generalized muscle aching, and stiffness. Fibromyalgia is a common condition that involves chronic fatigue, generalized muscle aching, and stiffness. The cause is unknown, and no pathological characteristics specific for the condition have been identified. Treatment consists of attention to the specific symptoms reported by the client. NSAIDs may be used to treat the diffuse muscle aching and stiffness. Tricyclic antidepressants are used to improve or restore normal sleep patterns, and individualized programs of exercise are used to decrease muscle weakness and discomfort and to improve the general deconditioning that occurs in these individuals.

The nurse is caring for a client with a new onset of gout. What medication does the nurse anticipate will be ordered by the health care provider?

colchicine The treatment of gout involves managing the acute inflammatory stage, preventing flare-ups, and controlling hyperuricemia. Colchicine, along with indomethacin, ibuprofen, or a corticosteroid, is prescribed to relieve an acute attack of gout. Probenecid and anturane increase the urinary excretion of uric acid, and allopurinol breaks down purines before uric acid is formed.

The nurse is gathering a health history for a client with osteoarthritis. What clinical manifestation will the nurse expect to find?

early morning stiffness Osteoarthritis is characterized by early morning stiffness that decreases with activity. Large joints are usually involved with osteoarthritis. Joint pain is a constant with osteoarthritis. Clients with rheumatoid arthritis have subcutaneous nodules.

A client is being treated for hyperuricemia. Part of the treatment strategy is for the client to avoid contributing factors whenever possible. Which activities might bring on an acute attack?

eating organ meats and sardines During an acute attack, high-purine foods are avoided, including organ meats, gravies, meat extracts, anchovies, herring, mackerel, sardines, and scallops. The other listed factors do not worsen attacks.

The nurse is discussing life management with the client with rheumatoid arthritis in a health clinic. What assessment finding indicates the client is having difficulty implementing self-care?

increased fatigue Fatigue is common with rheumatoid arthritis. Finding a balance between activity and rest is an essential part of the therapeutic regimen. The client is reporting being able to do ADLs and decreased joint pain. The client's weight gain of 2 pounds does not correlate with self-care problems.

Nursing care for the client with fibromyalgia should be guided by the assumption that patients with fibromyalgia

may feel as if their symptoms are not taken seriously. Because clients present with widespread symptoms that are often vague in nature, health care providers may misdiagnose them. Clients feel as though people are not listening to them. Nurses need to provide support and encouragement. Symptoms of disease vary from client to client and respond to different treatments. Clients do not lose their ability to walk.

The nurse is teaching a client with osteoarthritis about the disease. What is the most important client focus for disease management?

strategies for remaining active 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.

The client asks the nurse about types of exercise that do not stress the joints. What exercise will the nurse include in the teaching plan?

t'ai chi T'ai chi is low impact, so this is the best exercise for low joint impact. Jogging, weight lifting, and running on a treadmill are high-impact, jarring types of exercise.

The nurse is performing a health history with a new client with fibromyalgia. What will the nurse expect to assess as the most common finding associated with fibromyalgia?

widespread chronic pain The most common finding associated with fibromyalgia is widespread and chronic pain. Heberden nodes are associated with osteoarthritis. Jaw locking is a manifestation of temporomandibular joint dislocation. A butterfly facial rash is associated with systemic lupus erythematosus.