A nurse is working with a community group promoting healthy aging. What recommendation is best to help prevent osteoarthritis (OA)?
a. Avoid contact sports.
b. Get plenty of calcium.
c. Lose weight if needed.
d. Engage in weight-bearing exercise
C
A nurse in the family clinic is teaching a client newly diagnosed with osteoarthritis (OA) about drugs used to treat the disease. For which medication does the nurse plan primary teaching?
a. Acetaminophen (Tylenol)
b. Cyclobenzaprine hydrochloride (Flexeril)
c. Hyaluronate (Hyalgan)
d. Ibuprofen (Motrin)
A
The clinic nurse assesses a client with diabetes during a checkup. The client also has osteoarthritis (OA).
The nurse notes the clients blood glucose readings have been elevated. What question by the nurse is most
appropriate?
a. Are you compliant with following the diabetic diet?
b. Have you been taking glucosamine supplements?
c. How much exercise do you really get each week?
d. Youre still taking your diabetic medication, right?
B
The nurse working in the orthopedic clinic knows that a client with which factor has an absolute contraindication for having a total joint replacement?
a. Needs multiple dental fillings
b. Over age 85
c. Severe osteoporosis
d. Urinary tract infection
C
An older client has returned to the surgical unit after a total hip replacement. The client is confused and restless. What intervention by the nurse is most important to prevent injury?
a. Administer mild sedation.
b. Keep all four siderails up.
c. Restrain the clients hands.
d. Use an abduction pillow
D
What action by the perioperative nursing staff is most important to prevent surgical wound infection in a client having a total joint replacement?
a. Administer preoperative antibiotic as ordered.
b. Assess the clients white blood cell count.
c. Instruct the client to shower the night before.
d. Monitor the clients temperature postoperatively
A
The nurse on the postoperative inpatient unit assesses a client after a total hip replacement. The clients surgical leg is visibly shorter than the other one and the client reports extreme pain. While a co-worker calls the surgeon, what action by the nurse is best?
a. Assess neurovascular status in both legs.
b. Elevate the affected leg and apply ice.
c. Prepare to administer pain medication.
d. Try to place the affected leg in abduction
A
A client has a continuous passive motion (CPM) device after a total knee replacement. What action does the nurse delegate to the unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP) after the affected leg is placed in the machine while the client is in bed?
a. Assess the distal circulation in 30 minutes.
b. Change the settings based on range of motion.
c. Raise the lower siderail on the affected side.
d. Remind the client to do quad-setting exercises.
C
After a total knee replacement, a client is on the postoperative nursing unit with a continuous femoral nerve blockade. On assessment, the nurse notes the clients pulses are 2+/4+ bilaterally; the skin is pale pink, warm,
and dry; and the client is unable to dorsiflex or plantarflex the affected foot. What action does the nurse
perform next?
a. Document the findings and monitor as prescribed.
b. Increase the frequency of monitoring the client.
c. Notify the surgeon or anesthesia provider immediately.
d. Palpate the clients bladder or perform a bladder scan.
C
A nurse is discharging a client to a short-term rehabilitation center after a joint replacement. Which action by the nurse is most important?
a. Administering pain medication before transport
b. Answering any last-minute questions by the client
c. Ensuring the family has directions to the facility
d. Provided a verbal hand-off report to the facility.
D
A nurse works in the rheumatology clinic and sees clients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Which client should the nurse see first?
a. Client who reports jaw pain when eating
b. Client with a red, hot, swollen right wrist
c. Client who has a puffy-looking area behind the knee
d. Client with a worse joint deformity since the last visit
B
A client with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is on the postoperative nursing unit after having elective surgery.
The client reports that one arm feels like pins and needles and that the neck is very painful since returning from
surgery. What action by the nurse is best?
a. Assist the client to change positions.
b. Document the findings in the clients chart.
c. Encourage range of motion of the neck.
d. Notify the provider immediately.
D
The nurse working in the rheumatology clinic is seeing clients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). What assessment would be most important for the client whose chart contains the diagnosis of Sjgrens syndrome?
a. Abdominal assessment
b. Oxygen saturation
c. Renal function studies
d. Visual acuity
D
The nurse is working with a client who has rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The nurse has identified the priority problem of poor body image for the client. What finding by the nurse indicates goals for this client problem are
being met?
a. Attends meetings of a book club
b. Has a positive outlook on life
c. Takes medication as directed
d. Uses assistive devices to protect joints
A
A client is started on etanercept (Enbrel). What teaching by the nurse is most appropriate?
a. Giving subcutaneous injections
b. Having a chest x-ray once a year
c. Taking the medication with food
d. Using heat on the injection site
A
The nurse in the rheumatology clinic is assessing clients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Which client should the nurse see first?
a. Client taking celecoxib (Celebrex) and ranitidine (Zantac)
b. Client taking etanercept (Enbrel) with a red injection site
c. Client with a blood glucose of 190 mg/dL who is taking steroids
d. Client with a fever and cough who is taking tofacitinib (Xeljanz)
D
A client with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) has an acutely swollen, red, and painful joint. What nonpharmacologic treatment does the nurse apply?
a. Heating pad
b. Ice packs
c. Splints
d. Wax dip
B
The nurse on an inpatient rheumatology unit receives a hand-off report on a client with an acuteexacerbation of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Which reported laboratory value requires the nurse to
assess the client further?
a. Creatinine: 3.9 mg/dL
b. Platelet count: 210,000/mm3
c. Red blood cell count: 5.2/mm3
d. White blood cell count: 4400/mm3
A
A client who has had systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) for many years is in the clinic reporting hip painwith ambulation. Which action by the nurse is best?
a. Assess medication records for steroid use.
b. Facilitate a consultation with physical therapy.
c. Measure the range of motion in both hips.
d. Notify the health care provider immediately.
A
A client with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) was recently discharged from the hospital after an acute exacerbation. The client is in the clinic for a follow-up visit and is distraught about the possibility of another
hospitalization disrupting the family. What action by the nurse is best?
a. Explain to the client that SLE is an unpredictable disease.
b. Help the client create backup plans to minimize disruption.
c. Offer to talk to the family and educate them about SLE.
d. Tell the client to remain compliant with treatment plans.
B
A nurse is caring for a client with systemic sclerosis. The clients facial skin is very taut, limiting the clients ability to open the mouth. After consulting with a registered dietitian for appropriate nutrition, what other
consultation should the nurse facilitate?
a. Dentist
b. Massage therapist
c. Occupational therapy
d. Physical therapy
A
The nurse is teaching a client with gout dietary strategies to prevent exacerbations or other problems.
Which statement by the nurse is most appropriate?
a. Drink 1 to 2 liters of water each day.
b. Have 10 to 12 ounces of juice a day.
c. Liver is a good source of iron.
d. Never eat hard cheeses or sardines
A
A nurse is teaching a client with psoriatic arthritis about the medication golimumab (Simponi). What information is most important to include?
a. Avoid large crowds or people who are ill.
b. Stay upright for 1 hour after taking this drug.
c. This drug may cause your hair to fall out.
d. You may double the dose if pain is severe.
A
A client in the orthopedic clinic has a self-reported history of osteoarthritis. The client reports a low-grade fever that started when the weather changed and several joints started acting up, especially both hips and knees.
What action by the nurse is best?
a. Assess the client for the presence of subcutaneous nodules or Bakers cysts.
b. Inspect the clients feet and hands for podagra and tophi on fingers and toes.
c. Prepare to teach the client about an acetaminophen (Tylenol) regimen.
d. Reassure the client that the problems will fade as the weather changes again.
A
A nurse is caring for a client after joint replacement surgery. What action by the nurse is most important to prevent wound infection?
a. Assess the clients white blood cell count.
b. Culture any drainage from the wound.
c. Monitor the clients temperature every 4 hours.
d. Use aseptic technique for dressing changes.
D
A nurse is discharging a client after a total hip replacement. What statement by the client indicates good potential for self-management?
a. I can bend down to pick something up.
b. I no longer need to do my exercises.
c. I will not sit with my legs crossed.
d. I wont wash my incision to keep it dry.
C
The nurse is caring for a client using a continuous passive motion (CPM) machine and has delegated some tasks to the unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP). What action by the UAP warrants intervention by the nurse?
a. Checking to see if the machine is working
b. Keeping controls in a secure place on the bed
c. Placing padding in the machine per request
d. Storing the CPM machine under the bed after removal
D
A client recently diagnosed with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is in the clinic for a follow-up visit. The nurse evaluates that the client practices good self-care when the client makes which statement?
a. I always wear long sleeves, pants, and a hat when outdoors.
b. I try not to use cosmetics that contain any type of sunblock.
c. Since I tend to sweat a lot, I use a lot of baby powder.
d. Since I cant be exposed to the sun, I have been using a tanning bed.
A
A client is scheduled to have a hip replacement. Preoperatively, the client is found to be mildly anemic and the surgeon states the client may need a blood transfusion during or after the surgery. What action by the preoperative nurse is most important?
a. Administer preoperative medications as prescribed.
b. Ensure that a consent for transfusion is on the chart.
c. Explain to the client how anemia affects healing.
d. Teach the client about foods high in protein and iron.
B
An older client is scheduled to have hip replacement in 2 months and has the following laboratory values:
white blood cell count: 8900/mm3, red blood cell count: 3.2/mm3, hemoglobin: 9 g/dL, hematocrit: 32%.
What intervention by the nurse is most appropriate?
a. Instruct the client to avoid large crowds.
b. Prepare to administer epoetin alfa (Epogen).
c. Teach the client about foods high in iron.
d. Tell the client that all laboratory results are normal.
B
A client is getting out of bed into the chair for the first time after an uncemented hip replacement. What action by the nurse is most important?
a. Have adequate help to transfer the client.
b. Provide socks so the client can slide easier.
c. Tell the client full weight bearing is allowed.
d. Use a footstool to elevate the clients leg
A
A client has fibromyalgia and is prescribed duloxetine hydrochloride (Cymbalta). The client calls the clinic and asks the nurse why an antidepressant drug has been prescribed. What response by the nurse is best?
a. A little sedation will help you get some rest.
b. Depression often accompanies fibromyalgia.
c. This drug works in the brain to decrease pain.
d. You will have more energy after taking this drug
C
A client has been diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis. The client has experienced increased fatigue and worsening physical status and is finding it difficult to maintain the role of elder in his cultural community. The
elder is expected to attend social events and make community decisions. Stress seems to exacerbate the
condition. What action by the nurse is best?
a. Assess the clients culture more thoroughly.
b. Discuss options for performing duties.
c. See if the client will call a community meeting.
d. Suggest the client give up the role of elder.
A
A client has rheumatoid arthritis that especially affects the hands. The client wants to finish quilting a baby blanket before the birth of her grandchild. What response by the nurse is best?
a. Lets ask the provider about increasing your pain pills.
b. Hold ice bags against your hands before quilting.
c. Try a paraffin wax dip 20 minutes before you quilt.
d. You need to stop quilting before it destroys your fingers
C
A client has newly diagnosed systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). What instruction by the nurse is most important?
a. Be sure you get enough sleep at night.
b. Eat plenty of high-protein, high-iron foods.
c. Notify your provider at once if you get a fever.
d. Weigh yourself every day on the same scale.
C
A client comes to the family medicine clinic and reports joint pain and stiffness. The nurse is asked to assess the client for Heberdens nodules. What assessment technique is correct?
a. Inspect the clients distal finger joints.
b. Palpate the clients abdomen for tenderness.
c. Palpate the clients upper body lymph nodes.
d. Perform range of motion on the clients wrists.
A
A client takes celecoxib (Celebrex) for chronic osteoarthritis in multiple joints. After a knee replacement, the health care provider has prescribed morphine sulfate for postoperative pain relief. The client also requests the celecoxib in addition to the morphine. What action by the nurse is best?
a. Consult with the health care provider about administering both drugs to the client.
b. Inform the client that the celecoxib will be started when he or she goes home.
c. Teach the client that, since morphine is stronger, celecoxib is not needed.
d. Tell the client he or she should not take both drugs at the same time.
A
The nursing student studying rheumatoid arthritis (RA) learns which facts about the disease? (Select all that apply.)
a. It affects single joints only.
b. Antibodies lead to inflammation.
c. It consists of an autoimmune process.
d. Morning stiffness is rare.
e. Permanent damage is inevitable.
B
C
A nurse is teaching a female client with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) about taking methotrexate (MTX)(Rheumatrex) for disease control. What information does the nurse include? (Select all that apply.)
a. Avoid acetaminophen in over-the-counter medications.
b. It may take several weeks to become effective on pain.
c. Pregnancy and breast-feeding are not affected by MTX.
d. Stay away from large crowds and people who are ill.
e. You may find that folic acid, a B vitamin, reduces side effects
A
B
D
E
A client has been diagnosed with fibromyalgia syndrome but does not want to take the prescribed medications. What nonpharmacologic measures can the nurse suggest to help manage this condition? (Select all that apply.)
a. Acupuncture
b. Stretching
c. Supplements
d. Tai chi
e. Vigorous aerobics
A
B
D
The nurse working in the rheumatology clinic assesses clients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) for late manifestations. Which signs/symptoms are considered late manifestations of RA? (Select all that apply.)
a. Anorexia
b. Feltys syndrome
c. Joint deformity
d. Low-grade fever
e. Weight loss
B
C
E
An older client returning to the postoperative nursing unit after a hip replacement is disoriented and restless. What actions does the nurse delegate to the unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP)? (Select all that apply.)
a. Apply an abduction pillow to the clients legs.
b. Assess the skin under the abduction pillow straps.
c. Place pillows under the heels to keep them off the bed.
d. Monitor cognition to determine when the client can get up.
e. Take and record vital signs per unit/facility policy.
A
C
E
The nurse is working with clients who have connective tissue diseases. Which disorders are correctly paired with their manifestations? (Select all that apply.)
a. Dry, scaly skin rash Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)
b. Esophageal dysmotility Systemic sclerosis
c. Excess uric acid excretion Gout
d. Footdrop and paresthesias Osteoarthritis
e. Vasculitis causing organ damage Rheumatoid arthritis
A
B
E
A nurse works with several clients who have gout. Which types of gout and their drug treatments are
correctly matched? (Select all that apply.)
a. Allopurinol (Zyloprim) Acute gout
b. Colchicine (Colcrys) Acute gout
c. Febuxostat (Uloric) Chronic gout
d. Indomethacin (Indocin) Acute gout
e. Probenecid (Benemid) Chronic gout
B
C
D
E
The nurse is caring for a client with systemic sclerosis (SSc). What comfort measures can the nurse delegate to the unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP)? (Select all that apply.)
a. Collaborate with a registered dietitian for appropriate foods.
b. Inspect the skin and note any areas of ulceration.
c. Keep the room at a comfortably warm temperature.
d. Place a foot cradle at the end of the bed to lift sheets.
e. Remind the client to elevate the head of the bed after eating.
C
D
E
A client has rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and the visiting nurse is conducting a home assessment. What options can the nurse suggest for the client to maintain independence in activities of daily living (ADLs)? (Select all
that apply.)
a. Grab bars to reach high items
b. Long-handled bath scrub brush
c. Soft rocker-recliner chair
d. Toothbrush with built-up handle
e. Wheelchair cushion for comfort
A
B
D
A home health care nurse is visiting a client discharged home after a hip replacement. The client is still on partial weight bearing and using a walker. What safety precautions can the nurse recommend to the client?
(Select all that apply.)
a. Buy and install an elevated toilet seat.
b. Install grab bars in the shower and by the toilet.
c. Step into the bathtub with the affected leg first.
d. Remove all throw rugs throughout the house.
e. Use a shower chair while taking a shower.
A
B
D
E
A client with fibromyalgia is in the hospital for an unrelated issue. The client reports that sleep, which is always difficult, is even harder now. What actions by the nurse are most appropriate? (Select all that apply.)
a. Allow the client uninterrupted rest time.
b. Assess the clients usual bedtime routine.
c. Limit environmental noise as much as possible.
d. Offer a massage or warm shower at night.
e. Request an order for a strong sleeping pill.
A
B
C
D
A client has a possible connective tissue disease and the nurse is reviewing the clients laboratory values. Which laboratory values and their related connective tissue diseases (CTDs) are correctly matched? (Select all
that apply.)
a. Elevated antinuclear antibody (ANA) Normal value; no connective tissue disease
b. Elevated sedimentation rate Rheumatoid arthritis
c. Lowered albumin Indicative only of nutritional deficit
d. Positive human leukocyte antigen B27 (HLA-B27) Reiters syndrome or ankylosing spondylitis
e. Positive rheumatoid factor Possible kidney disease
D
E