Nokea
The nurse is caring for a patient who has three school-age children and recently diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The patient tells the nurse that the inability to be involved in many family activities is causing stress at home. Which of the following responses by the nurse is most appropriate?
- A. You may need to see a family therapist for some help.
- B. Tell me more about the situations that are causing stress.
- C. Perhaps it would be helpful for you and your family to get involved in a support group.
- D. Your family may need some help to understand the impact of your rheumatoid arthritis.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The initial action by the nurse should be further assessment. The other three responses might be appropriate based on the information the nurse obtains with further assessment.
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Which of the following information should the nurse include when teaching a patient with newly diagnosed ankylosing spondylitis (AS) about the management of the condition?
- A. Exercise by taking long walks.
- B. Do daily deep-breathing exercises.
- C. Sleep on the side with hips flexed.
- D. Take frequent naps during the day.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Deep-breathing exercises are used to decrease the risk for pulmonary complications that may occur with the reduced chest expansion that can occur with ankylosing spondylitis (AS). Patients should sleep on the back and avoid flexed positions. Prolonged standing and walking should be avoided. There is no need for frequent naps.
The nurse has completed the health history with a female patient who is taking methotrexate to treat rheumatoid arthritis. Which of the following information about the patient is most important for the nurse to report to the health care provider?
- A. The patient had a history of infectious mononucleosis as a teenager.
- B. The patient is trying to have a baby before her disease becomes more severe.
- C. The patient has a family history of age-related macular degeneration of the retina.
- D. The patient has been using large doses of vitamins and health foods to treat the RA.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Methotrexate is teratogenic, and the patient should be taking contraceptives during methotrexate therapy and up to 3 months after therapy. The other information will not impact the choice of methotrexate as therapy.
The nurse is caring for a patient with gout and takes losartan for control of the condition. Which of the following laboratory results should the nurse plan to monitor in the patient?
- A. Blood glucose
- B. Blood pressure
- C. Erythrocyte count
- D. Lymphocyte count
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Losartan, an angiotensin II receptor antagonist, will lower blood pressure. It does not affect blood glucose, red blood cell count (RBC), or lymphocytes.
Which of the following statements by a young adult female patient with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) indicates that the patient has understood the nurse's teaching about management of the condition?
- A. I will use a sunscreen whenever I am outside.
- B. I will try to keep exercising even if I am tired.
- C. I should take birth control pills to keep from getting pregnant.
- D. I should not take Aspirin or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Severe skin reactions can occur in patients with SLE who are exposed to the sun. Patients should avoid fatigue by balancing exercise with rest periods as needed. Oral contraceptives can exacerbate lupus. Aspirin and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are used to treat the musculoskeletal manifestations of SLE.
Which of the following assessment findings about a patient who has been using naproxen for 3 weeks to treat osteoarthritis is most important for the nurse to report to the health care provider?
- A. The patient has dark-coloured stools.
- B. The patient's pain has not improved.
- C. The patient is using capsaicin cream.
- D. The patient has gained 3 pounds over 3 weeks.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Dark-coloured stools may indicate that the patient is experiencing gastrointestinal bleeding caused by the naproxen. The information about the patient's ongoing pain and weight gain also will be reported and may indicate a need for a different treatment or counselling about avoiding weight gain, but these are not as large a concern as the possibility of gastrointestinal bleeding. Use of capsaicin cream with oral medications is appropriate.