Chapter 44: Connective Tissue Disorders
Linton: Medical-Surgical Nursing, 7th Edition
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. Which characteristic should a nurse recognize as diagnostic of rheumatoid arthritis?
a. Absence of pain
b. Symmetric bilateral joint swelling
c. Evening stiffness that improves with activity
d. Increased appetite
ANS: B
Symmetric bilateral joint swelling is a classic symptom of rheumatoid arthritis:
DIF: Cognitive Level: Comprehension REF: p: 864 OBJ: 1
TOP: Rheumatoid Arthritis KEY: Nursing Process Step: Implementation
MSC: NCLEX: Physiological Integrity: Physiological Adaptation
2. A patient asks why systemic glucocorticoid medications are used as the last choice for the
treatment of rheumatoid arthritis: What is the nurse’s most informative reply?
a. “The other drugs are just as effective and work in similar ways:”
b. “They are used as a last choice or for short periods because they have many side
effects:”
c. “Those drugs are given three or four times daily, which is more difficult for
patients to remember:”
d. “A higher incidence of vomiting occurs with prolonged use:”
ANS: B
Glucocorticoids are used as a last choice because they have many side effects:
DIF: Cognitive Level: Comprehension REF: p: 872 OBJ: 2
TOP: Drug Therapy of Rheumatoid Arthritis
KEY: Nursing Process Step: Implementation
MSC: NCLEX: Physiological Integrity: Pharmacological Therapies
, 3. A nurse, in conjunction with a patient, establishes a plan to treat the pain associated with
arthritis: What is the most effective strategy?
a. Avoid exercise to spare painful joints:
b. Use narcotics for pain relief:
c. Apply warm, moist compresses before doing activity:
d. Avoid assistive devices that encourage dependence:
ANS: C
Applying heat before exercise loosens the joints and decreases pain:
DIF: Cognitive Level: Comprehension REF: p: 866 OBJ: 2
TOP: Arthritis KEY: Nursing Process Step: Planning
MSC: NCLEX: Physiological Integrity: Basic Care and Comfort
4. A 51-year-old professional tennis instructor is newly diagnosed with osteoarthritis: What
is the nurse’s best explanation to the patient when asked what this diagnosis means?
a. Presence of antibodies in the synovial fluid
b. Dislocation of the patella over the tibia
c. Degeneration of articular cartilage
d. Body’s autoimmune response
ANS: C
Degeneration of articular cartilage is one of the pathophysiologic changes of arthritis:
DIF: Cognitive Level: Knowledge REF: p: 857 OBJ: 2
TOP: Osteoarthritis KEY: Nursing Process Step: Assessment
MSC: NCLEX: Physiological Integrity: Physiological Adaptation
5. Which is true regarding connective tissue function?
a. Helps provide a source of storage for calcium
b. Stores hormones in the pores of bone tissue
c. Controls the distribution of minerals
d. Provides protection to body parts
ANS: D
Linton: Medical-Surgical Nursing, 7th Edition
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. Which characteristic should a nurse recognize as diagnostic of rheumatoid arthritis?
a. Absence of pain
b. Symmetric bilateral joint swelling
c. Evening stiffness that improves with activity
d. Increased appetite
ANS: B
Symmetric bilateral joint swelling is a classic symptom of rheumatoid arthritis:
DIF: Cognitive Level: Comprehension REF: p: 864 OBJ: 1
TOP: Rheumatoid Arthritis KEY: Nursing Process Step: Implementation
MSC: NCLEX: Physiological Integrity: Physiological Adaptation
2. A patient asks why systemic glucocorticoid medications are used as the last choice for the
treatment of rheumatoid arthritis: What is the nurse’s most informative reply?
a. “The other drugs are just as effective and work in similar ways:”
b. “They are used as a last choice or for short periods because they have many side
effects:”
c. “Those drugs are given three or four times daily, which is more difficult for
patients to remember:”
d. “A higher incidence of vomiting occurs with prolonged use:”
ANS: B
Glucocorticoids are used as a last choice because they have many side effects:
DIF: Cognitive Level: Comprehension REF: p: 872 OBJ: 2
TOP: Drug Therapy of Rheumatoid Arthritis
KEY: Nursing Process Step: Implementation
MSC: NCLEX: Physiological Integrity: Pharmacological Therapies
, 3. A nurse, in conjunction with a patient, establishes a plan to treat the pain associated with
arthritis: What is the most effective strategy?
a. Avoid exercise to spare painful joints:
b. Use narcotics for pain relief:
c. Apply warm, moist compresses before doing activity:
d. Avoid assistive devices that encourage dependence:
ANS: C
Applying heat before exercise loosens the joints and decreases pain:
DIF: Cognitive Level: Comprehension REF: p: 866 OBJ: 2
TOP: Arthritis KEY: Nursing Process Step: Planning
MSC: NCLEX: Physiological Integrity: Basic Care and Comfort
4. A 51-year-old professional tennis instructor is newly diagnosed with osteoarthritis: What
is the nurse’s best explanation to the patient when asked what this diagnosis means?
a. Presence of antibodies in the synovial fluid
b. Dislocation of the patella over the tibia
c. Degeneration of articular cartilage
d. Body’s autoimmune response
ANS: C
Degeneration of articular cartilage is one of the pathophysiologic changes of arthritis:
DIF: Cognitive Level: Knowledge REF: p: 857 OBJ: 2
TOP: Osteoarthritis KEY: Nursing Process Step: Assessment
MSC: NCLEX: Physiological Integrity: Physiological Adaptation
5. Which is true regarding connective tissue function?
a. Helps provide a source of storage for calcium
b. Stores hormones in the pores of bone tissue
c. Controls the distribution of minerals
d. Provides protection to body parts
ANS: D
