Chapter 18 Care of Patients with Arthritis and Other Connective Tissue Diseases

MULTIPLE CHOICE 1. 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. ANS: C Obesity can lead to OA, and if the client is overweight, losing weight can help prevent OA or reduce symptom once it occurs. Arthritis can be caused by contact sports, but this is less common than obesity. Calcium and weight-bearing exercise are both important for osteoporosis. DIF: Understanding/Comprehension REF: 308 KEY: Client teaching| health promotion| osteoarthritis| weight loss MSC: Integrated Process: Teaching/Learning NOT: Client Needs Category: Health Promotion and Maintenance 2. 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) ANS: A All of the drugs are appropriate to treat OA. However, the first-line drug is acetaminophen. Cyclobenzaprine is a muscle relaxant given to treat muscle spasms. Hyaluronate is a synthetic joint fluid implant. Ibuprofen is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug. DIF: Remembering/Knowledge REF: 307 KEY: Osteoarthritis| acetaminophen| pharmacologic pain management| patient teaching MSC: Integrated Process: Teaching/Learning NOT: Client Needs Category: Physiological Integrity: Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies 3. 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?