Concepts and Cases in Nursing Ethics Test Bank Related

Review Concepts and Cases in Nursing Ethics Test Bank related questions and content

The nurse is determining the type of arthritis a patient is experiencing. Which assessment finding would be present if the patient has rheumatoid arthritis?

  • A. Stiffness is relieved by activity
  • B. Health history includes weight loss and fever
  • C. Abnormal joint findings are limited to the hands
  • D. Heberden’s nodes are located on the finger joints
Correct Answer: B

Rationale: In rheumatoid arthritis, the health history often includes systemic symptoms such as weight loss and fever. Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic inflammatory autoimmune disease that affects multiple joints symmetrically. Unlike osteoarthritis where joint stiffness is often relieved by activity, stiffness in rheumatoid arthritis is typically worse in the morning and after inactivity. In rheumatoid arthritis, joint deformities can occur in various joints, not just limited to the hands. Heberden's nodes are characteristic of osteoarthritis, not rheumatoid arthritis.