Foundations and Adult Health Nursing Test Bank - Care of the Patient With a Musculoskeletal Disorder Cooper: Foundations and Adult Health Nursing, 9th Edition Related

Review Foundations and Adult Health Nursing Test Bank - Care of the Patient With a Musculoskeletal Disorder Cooper: Foundations and Adult Health Nursing, 9th Edition related questions and content

The patient has been diagnosed as having gouty arthritis. The patient asks the nurse to explain the cause of the inflammation of the great toe. Which is the appropriate nursing response?

  • A. You have calcium oxalate deposits that are seen in gouty arthritis.'
  • B. The inflammation is from small accumulations of uric acid crystals, which are called tophi.'
  • C. The small nodules are not related to the arthritis condition.'
  • D. You have fat deposits that are common with gouty arthritis.'
Correct Answer: B

Rationale: Gout is a metabolic disease resulting from an accumulation of uric acid in the blood. It is an acute inflammatory condition associated with ineffective metabolism of purines. Although some patients with gout also have kidney stones, and some kidney stones are caused by calcium oxalate deposits, gout is not caused from calcium oxalate deposits. A patient with gout usually has excruciating pain, edema and inflammation in the affected joint, not small nodules. Fat deposits are not associated with gouty arthritis.