A 60-year-old woman has pain on motion in her fingers and asks the nurse whether this is just a result of aging. The best response by the nurse should include what information?
- A. Joint pain with functional limitation is a normal change that affects all people to some extent.
- B. Joint pain that develops with age is usually related to previous trauma or infection of the joints.
- C. This is a symptom of a systemic arthritis that eventually affects all joints as the disease progresses.
- D. Changes in the cartilage and bones of joints may cause symptoms of pain and loss of function in some people as they age.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Age-related joint changes can cause pain and dysfunction.
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A patient with a spinal cord injury at level C3-4 is being cared for in the ED. What is the priority assessment?
- A. Determine the level at which the patient has intact sensation.
- B. Assess the level at which the patient has retained mobility.
- C. Check blood pressure and pulse for signs of spinal shock.
- D. Monitor respiratory effort and oxygen saturation level.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Respiratory function is critical at this level of injury and must be assessed immediately.
The polyneuropathic pattern of sensory loss suggests presence of the following syndrome:
- A. numbness & pain in distal parts of extremities
- B. numbness & analgesia in half of the body
- C. pain & sensory ataxia in half of the body
- D. analgesia & sensory ataxia in proximal parts of extremities
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Numbness and pain in distal parts of extremities is the correct answer because polyneuropathy typically affects the longest nerves first, leading to a glove-and-stocking pattern of sensory loss. This condition is often caused by systemic diseases such as diabetes, vitamin deficiencies, or toxic exposures.
To determine the extent of Mr. Smith's head injury, what baseline nursing assessment is most important?
- A. Respiratory status
- B. Motor strength
- C. Urinary output
- D. Gastrointestinal function
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Respiratory status is crucial in assessing head injuries due to potential brainstem involvement.
The mechanism of action for entacapone is:
- A. COMT inhibition
- B. MAO-B inhibition
- C. D2-receptor inhibition
- D. Dopa-decarboxylase inhibition
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Entacapone works by inhibiting catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT), which prolongs the effect of levodopa by preventing its breakdown.
What is the most common diagnostic test used to assess musculoskeletal disorders?
- A. Myelogram
- B. Arthroscopy
- C. Standard x-ray
- D. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Standard x-rays are widely used for initial assessments.