Nokea
A patient with diabetes is attending a class on the prevention of associated diseases. What action should the patient perform to reduce the risk of osteomyelitis?
- A. Increase calcium and vitamin intake.
- B. Perform meticulous foot care.
- C. Exercise 3 to 4 times weekly for at least 30 minutes.
- D. Take corticosteroids as ordered.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Diabetic foot ulcers have a high potential for progressing to osteomyelitis. Meticulous foot care can help mitigate this risk. Corticosteroids can exacerbate the risk of osteomyelitis. Increased intake of calcium and vitamins as well as regular exercise are beneficial health promotion exercises, but they do not directly reduce the risk of osteomyelitis.
You may also like to solve these questions
An orthopedic nurse is caring for a patient who is postoperative day one following foot surgery. What nursing intervention should be included in the patient's subsequent care?
- A. Dressing changes should not be performed unless there are clear signs of infection.
- B. The surgical site can be soaked in warm bath water for up to 5 minutes.
- C. The surgical site should be cleansed with hydrogen peroxide once daily.
- D. The foot should be elevated in order to prevent edema.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Pain experienced by patients who undergo foot surgery is related to inflammation and edema. To control the anticipated edema, the foot should be elevated on several pillows when the patient is sitting or lying. Regular dressing changes are performed and the wound should be kept dry. Hydrogen peroxide is not used to cleanse surgical wounds.
A nurse is providing discharge teaching for a patient who underwent foot surgery. The nurse is collaborating with the occupational therapist and discussing the use of assistive devices. On what variables does the choice of assistive devices primarily depend?
- A. Patient's general condition, balance, and weight-bearing prescription
- B. Patient's general condition, strength, and gender
- C. Patient's motivation, age, and weight-bearing prescription
- D. Patient's occupation, motivation, and age
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Assistive devices (e.g., crutches, walker) may be needed. The choice of the devices depends on the patient's general condition and balance, and on the weight-bearing prescription. The patient's strength, motivation, and weight restrictions are not what the choice of assistive devices is based on.
A patient has come to the clinic for a routine annual physical. The nurse practitioner notes a palpable, painless projection of bone at the patient's shoulder. The projection appears to be at the distal end of the humerus. The nurse should suspect the presence of which of the following?
- A. Osteomyelitis
- B. Osteochondroma
- C. Osteomalacia
- D. Paget's disease
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Osteochondroma is the most common benign bone tumor. It usually occurs as a large projection of bone at the end of long bones (at the knee or shoulder). Osteomyelitis, osteomalacia, and Paget's disease do not involve the development of excess bone tissue.
An older adult woman's current medication regimen includes alendronate (Fosamax). What outcome would indicate successful therapy?
- A. Increased bone mass
- B. Resolution of infection
- C. Relief of bone pain
- D. Absence of tumor spread
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Bisphosphonates such as Fosamax increase bone mass and decrease bone loss by inhibiting osteoclast function. These drugs do not treat infection, pain, or tumors.
A nurse is providing a class on osteoporosis at the local seniors center. Which of the following statements related to osteoporosis is most accurate?
- A. Osteoporosis is categorized as a disease of the elderly.
- B. A nonmodifiable risk factor for osteoporosis is a person's level of activity.
- C. Secondary osteoporosis occurs in women after menopause.
- D. Slow discontinuation of corticosteroid therapy can halt the progression of the osteoporosis.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: When corticosteroid therapy is discontinued, the progression of osteoporosis is halted, but restoration of lost bone mass does not occur. Osteoporosis is not a disease of the elderly because its onset occurs earlier in life, when bone mass peaks and then begins to decline. A person's level of physical activity is a modifiable factor that influences peak bone mass. Lack of activity increases the risk for the development of osteoporosis. Primary osteoporosis occurs in women after menopause.