Advanced Nursing Review on Osteoarthritis,
Rheumatoid Arthritis, Ankylosing Spondylitis,
Psoriatic Arthritis, Joint Arthroplasty,
Postoperative Care, Cast and External Fixator
Management, Musculoskeletal Assessment, Pain
and Inflammation Control, DMARD and Biologic
Therapy, Corticosteroid Side Effects, Neurovascular
Monitoring, Patient Education, Exercise and
Mobility, Joint Protection Strategies, Heat and Cold
Therapy, Nutrition, Calcium and Bone Health,
Laboratory Monitoring, Adverse Drug Reactions,
and Rehabilitation Planning for Optimal Functional
Outcomes Exam Questions Verified and Provided
with A+ Graded Rationales Latest Updated 2026
1. Which finding will the nurse expect when assessing a 58-year-old patient who has
osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee?
a.
Discomfort with joint movement
b.
Heberden's and Bouchard's nodes
c.
Redness and swelling of the knee joint
d.
Stiffness that increases with movement
ANS: A
Initial symptoms of OA include pain with joint movement. Heberden's nodules occur on the
fingers. Redness of the joint is more strongly associated with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Stiffness
in OA is worse right after the patient rests and decreases with joint movement.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Understand (comprehension) REF: 1562
TOP: Nursing Process: Assessment MSC: NCLEX: Physiological Integrity
, 2. Which assessment finding about a patient who has been using naproxen (Naprosyn) for 6
weeks to treat osteoarthritis is most important for the nurse to report to the health care
provider?
a.
The patient has gained 3 pounds.
b.
The patient has dark-colored stools.
c.
The patient's pain has become more severe.
d.
The patient is using capsaicin cream (Zostrix).
ANS: B
Dark-colored stools may indicate that the patient is experiencing gastrointestinal bleeding
caused by the naproxen. The information about the patient's ongoing pain and weight gain also
will be reported and may indicate a need for a different treatment and/or counseling about
avoiding weight gain, but these are not as large a concern as the possibility of gastrointestinal
bleeding. Use of capsaicin cream with oral medications is appropriate.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Apply (application) REF: 1565
TOP: Nursing Process: Assessment MSC: NCLEX: Physiological Integrity
3. After the nurse has finished teaching a 68-year-old patient with osteoarthritis (OA) of the
right hip about how to manage the OA, which patient statement indicates a need for more
teaching?
a.
"I can take glucosamine to help decrease my knee pain."
b.
"I will take 1 g of acetaminophen (Tylenol) every 4 hours."
c.
"I will take a shower in the morning to help relieve stiffness."
d.
"I can use a cane to decrease the pressure and pain in my hip."
ANS: B
No more than 4 g of acetaminophen should be taken daily to avoid liver damage. The other
patient statements are correct and indicate good understanding of OA management.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Apply (application) REF: 1564
TOP: Nursing Process: Evaluation MSC: NCLEX: Physiological Integrity
Rheumatoid Arthritis, Ankylosing Spondylitis,
Psoriatic Arthritis, Joint Arthroplasty,
Postoperative Care, Cast and External Fixator
Management, Musculoskeletal Assessment, Pain
and Inflammation Control, DMARD and Biologic
Therapy, Corticosteroid Side Effects, Neurovascular
Monitoring, Patient Education, Exercise and
Mobility, Joint Protection Strategies, Heat and Cold
Therapy, Nutrition, Calcium and Bone Health,
Laboratory Monitoring, Adverse Drug Reactions,
and Rehabilitation Planning for Optimal Functional
Outcomes Exam Questions Verified and Provided
with A+ Graded Rationales Latest Updated 2026
1. Which finding will the nurse expect when assessing a 58-year-old patient who has
osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee?
a.
Discomfort with joint movement
b.
Heberden's and Bouchard's nodes
c.
Redness and swelling of the knee joint
d.
Stiffness that increases with movement
ANS: A
Initial symptoms of OA include pain with joint movement. Heberden's nodules occur on the
fingers. Redness of the joint is more strongly associated with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Stiffness
in OA is worse right after the patient rests and decreases with joint movement.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Understand (comprehension) REF: 1562
TOP: Nursing Process: Assessment MSC: NCLEX: Physiological Integrity
, 2. Which assessment finding about a patient who has been using naproxen (Naprosyn) for 6
weeks to treat osteoarthritis is most important for the nurse to report to the health care
provider?
a.
The patient has gained 3 pounds.
b.
The patient has dark-colored stools.
c.
The patient's pain has become more severe.
d.
The patient is using capsaicin cream (Zostrix).
ANS: B
Dark-colored stools may indicate that the patient is experiencing gastrointestinal bleeding
caused by the naproxen. The information about the patient's ongoing pain and weight gain also
will be reported and may indicate a need for a different treatment and/or counseling about
avoiding weight gain, but these are not as large a concern as the possibility of gastrointestinal
bleeding. Use of capsaicin cream with oral medications is appropriate.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Apply (application) REF: 1565
TOP: Nursing Process: Assessment MSC: NCLEX: Physiological Integrity
3. After the nurse has finished teaching a 68-year-old patient with osteoarthritis (OA) of the
right hip about how to manage the OA, which patient statement indicates a need for more
teaching?
a.
"I can take glucosamine to help decrease my knee pain."
b.
"I will take 1 g of acetaminophen (Tylenol) every 4 hours."
c.
"I will take a shower in the morning to help relieve stiffness."
d.
"I can use a cane to decrease the pressure and pain in my hip."
ANS: B
No more than 4 g of acetaminophen should be taken daily to avoid liver damage. The other
patient statements are correct and indicate good understanding of OA management.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Apply (application) REF: 1564
TOP: Nursing Process: Evaluation MSC: NCLEX: Physiological Integrity
