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Which of the following best describes an appropriate outcome for a 75-yr-old patient with a history of Huntington's disease, which has developed contractures?
- A. The patient will monitor for signs of skin breakdown as a result of the contractures.
- B. The patient will learn to reposition himself in bed and in his chair without assistance.
- C. The patient will participate in range of motion exercises to reduce the effects of contractures.
- D. The patient will verbalize the effects of contractures on activities of daily living.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: For a patient with Huntington's disease and contractures, participating in range of motion exercises is an appropriate outcome to help maintain joint mobility and reduce the severity of contractures. Monitoring for skin breakdown is important but not the primary outcome. Independent repositioning may not be feasible due to the progressive nature of Huntington's, and verbalizing effects is less actionable than active intervention.
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The nurse is planning a staff development conference regarding contractures. Which of the following information should the nurse include? Select all that apply.
- A. Range-of-motion exercises of the extremities help prevent contractures.
- B. Splinting the extremities may increase the risk of contractures.
- C. Too many pillows under the head may cause a neck flexion contracture.
- D. Using multiple staff members to reposition a client may prevent a contracture.
- E. Contractures after a hip arthroplasty can be prevented with an abduction pillow.
Correct Answer: A, C, E
Rationale: Range-of-motion exercises maintain joint flexibility and help prevent contractures. Too many pillows under the head can cause the neck to remain flexed, increasing the risk of a flexion contracture. An abduction pillow keeps the legs properly aligned and prevents adduction contractures after hip surgery.
The nurse is preparing to give alendronate to the client with osteoporosis. The nurse should explain to the client that the expected outcome of this medication is primarily to
- A. decrease bone inflammation
- B. increase synovial fluid in the joint space
- C. inhibit bone resorption
- D. increase serum calcium levels
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Alendronate, a bisphosphonate, inhibits osteoclast activity, thereby reducing bone resorption and increasing bone density in osteoporosis. It does not primarily reduce inflammation, increase synovial fluid, or directly increase serum calcium levels, which may actually decrease due to reduced bone breakdown.
The following scenario applies to the next 1 items
The nurse in the emergency department (ED) is caring for a 62-year-old female client.
Item 1 of 1
Triage Note
1211: The client was brought to the ED by her neighbor, who was concerned about her increasing pain and immobility. The client's neighbor reported that the client called her a few hours ago, asking her to go to the ED because of increasing pain and the inability to perform her activities of daily living. History of osteoporosis, hypertension, and gout. She reports that she recently started seeing a rheumatologist because of persistent fatigue, low-grade fevers, and lack of appetite. Vital signs: T 99.7° F (37.6° C), P 82, RR 16, BP 134/76, pulse oximetry reading 98% on room air. Pain rated 7/10 on the Numerical Rating Scale, which is described as throbbing of both feet, especially in her toes. She also reports having stiffness in her wrists and fingers that starts in the morning and persists throughout the day. Triage assessment: the client is alert and fully oriented to person, place, and situation. Peripheral pulses 2+. Clear lung sounds bilaterally. Swollen, errythemic toes that are warm and tender to touch. She does not recall her weight but reports significant weight loss over the past three months.
For each assessment finding below, click to specify if the finding is consistent with the disease process of osteoarthritis, acute gout flare, or rheumatoid arthritis. Each finding may support more than 1 disease process.
- A. Low-grade fever
- B. Weight loss
- C. Redness and warmth of the affected joint
- D. Morning joint stiffness in the wrists that lasts throughout the day
- E. Pain with movement in the affected joint
- F. Reduced range of motion in the affected joint
- G. Pain level
Correct Answer: A: Rheumatoid Arthritis, Acute Gout Flare, B: Rheumatoid Arthritis, C: Rheumatoid Arthritis, Acute Gout Flare, D: Rheumatoid Arthritis, E: Osteoarthritis, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Acute Gout Flare, F: Osteoarthritis, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Acute Gout Flare, G: Osteoarthritis, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Acute Gout Flare
Rationale: Seen in inflammatory conditions; not typical in osteoarthritis. Chronic systemic inflammation may lead to unintentional weight loss. Indicates joint inflammation; osteoarthritis does not usually present with warmth or redness. Stiffness >1 hour, especially in small joints, is classic for RA. Movement worsens pain in all these conditions, though the cause differs. All limit ROM due to stiffness, inflammation, or damage. Pain is a shared feature, though severity and timing vary.
The nurse is caring for an 88-year-old client who is fifteen minutes post-operative following total hip arthroplasty. It would be a priority to assess which of the following?
- A. Range of motion
- B. Urinary output
- C. Vital signs
- D. Incision
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Vital signs are the priority post-op to detect instability, bleeding, or shock, especially in an elderly client. Range of motion, urinary output, and incision are important but secondary in the immediate 15-minute period.
The nurse is caring for a client being admitted to the medical-surgical unit with an acute flare of gout. After performing medication reconciliation, which medication does the nurse suspect could have triggered the acute gout flare? See the exhibit.
- A. hydrochlorothiazide
- B. temazepam
- C. rosuvastatin
- D. escitalopram
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Hydrochlorothiazide, a thiazide diuretic, can increase serum uric acid levels by reducing renal excretion, potentially triggering an acute gout flare. Temazepam, rosuvastatin, and escitalopram do not significantly affect uric acid levels or gout.