NR 509 Final Exam Study Guide
, NR 509 Final Exam Study Guide
Articular structures include joint capsule and articular cartilage, the synovium and
synovial fluid, intra-articular ligaments and juxta-articular bone
o Articular disease involves:
Swelling
Tenderness of the joint
Crepitus
Instability “locking”
Deformity
Limits active and passive range of motion due to stiffness or pain
Extra-articular structures include periarticular ligaments, tendons, bursae, muscle,
fascia, bone, nerve and overlying skin
o Extra-articular disease involves:
“point of focal tenderness in regions adjacent to articular structures
Limits active range of motion
RARELY causes swelling, instability, joint deformity
Know the sources of joint pain (pg. 627 algorithm)
Nonarticular conditions: trauma/fracture, fibromyalgia, polymyalgia rheumatica,
bursitis, tendinitis
Intra-articular (acute, < 6 weeks): acute arthritis
o infectious arthritis
o gout
, o pseudogout
o Reiter syndrome
Intra-articular (chronic, > 6 weeks): chronic inflammatory arthritis vs chronic
noninflammatory arthritis
o Chronic inflammatory arthritis with 1-3 joints involved:
Indolent infection
Psoriatic arthritis
Reiter syndrome
Periarticular JA
o Chronic inflammatory arthritis with >3 joints involved:
Psoriatic arthritis or Reiter syndrome (no symmetry)
rheumatoid arthritis if not RA then systemic lupus, scleroderma,
polymyositis
*Know what causes saddle numbness and urinary retention (pg. 678?)
CES (cauda equina syndrome) most commonly results from a massive herniated disc in
the lumbar region.
A single excessive strain or injury may cause a herniated disc.
However, disc material degenerates naturally as a person ages, and the ligaments that
hold it in place begin to weaken. As this degeneration progresses, a relatively minor
strain or twisting movement can cause a disc to rupture.
, The following are other potential causes of CES:
Spinal lesions and tumors
Spinal infections or inflammation
Lumbar spinal stenosis
Violent injuries to the lower back (gunshots, falls, auto accidents)
Birth abnormalities
Spinal arteriovenous malformations (AVMs)
Spinal hemorrhages (subarachnoid, subdural, epidural)
Postoperative lumbar spine surgery complications
Spinal anesthesia
Know how retinal detachment presents (p.217)
Sudden, painless vision loss that is unilateral
Know what the word obtunded means (p. 769)
The obtunded patient opens eyes and looks at you but responds slowly and is somewhat
confused. Alertness and interest in the environment are decreased.
Know what cranial nerve you’re assessing when checking lateral gaze (p. 237)
Cranial nerve VI: abducens
Know what should be listed under adult illnesses in health history (pg. 10)
, NR 509 Final Exam Study Guide
Articular structures include joint capsule and articular cartilage, the synovium and
synovial fluid, intra-articular ligaments and juxta-articular bone
o Articular disease involves:
Swelling
Tenderness of the joint
Crepitus
Instability “locking”
Deformity
Limits active and passive range of motion due to stiffness or pain
Extra-articular structures include periarticular ligaments, tendons, bursae, muscle,
fascia, bone, nerve and overlying skin
o Extra-articular disease involves:
“point of focal tenderness in regions adjacent to articular structures
Limits active range of motion
RARELY causes swelling, instability, joint deformity
Know the sources of joint pain (pg. 627 algorithm)
Nonarticular conditions: trauma/fracture, fibromyalgia, polymyalgia rheumatica,
bursitis, tendinitis
Intra-articular (acute, < 6 weeks): acute arthritis
o infectious arthritis
o gout
, o pseudogout
o Reiter syndrome
Intra-articular (chronic, > 6 weeks): chronic inflammatory arthritis vs chronic
noninflammatory arthritis
o Chronic inflammatory arthritis with 1-3 joints involved:
Indolent infection
Psoriatic arthritis
Reiter syndrome
Periarticular JA
o Chronic inflammatory arthritis with >3 joints involved:
Psoriatic arthritis or Reiter syndrome (no symmetry)
rheumatoid arthritis if not RA then systemic lupus, scleroderma,
polymyositis
*Know what causes saddle numbness and urinary retention (pg. 678?)
CES (cauda equina syndrome) most commonly results from a massive herniated disc in
the lumbar region.
A single excessive strain or injury may cause a herniated disc.
However, disc material degenerates naturally as a person ages, and the ligaments that
hold it in place begin to weaken. As this degeneration progresses, a relatively minor
strain or twisting movement can cause a disc to rupture.
, The following are other potential causes of CES:
Spinal lesions and tumors
Spinal infections or inflammation
Lumbar spinal stenosis
Violent injuries to the lower back (gunshots, falls, auto accidents)
Birth abnormalities
Spinal arteriovenous malformations (AVMs)
Spinal hemorrhages (subarachnoid, subdural, epidural)
Postoperative lumbar spine surgery complications
Spinal anesthesia
Know how retinal detachment presents (p.217)
Sudden, painless vision loss that is unilateral
Know what the word obtunded means (p. 769)
The obtunded patient opens eyes and looks at you but responds slowly and is somewhat
confused. Alertness and interest in the environment are decreased.
Know what cranial nerve you’re assessing when checking lateral gaze (p. 237)
Cranial nerve VI: abducens
Know what should be listed under adult illnesses in health history (pg. 10)
