NUR 1024: OSTEOARTHRITIS: NCLEX QUESTIONS WITH
ACCURATE SOLUTIONS
1) The parents of a child newly diagnosed with juvenile osteoarthritis (OA) are
concerned about their child's future ability to be disability free and remain
independent. Which information should the nurse give the parents? (Select all that
apply.)
A) "Children may outgrow OA as they age."
B) "OA in children is generalized, thus impacting all joints and increasing
possible impairment."
C) "The amount of disability will depend on how well the OA is managed
as a child."
D) "OA in children is usually idiopathic, making it difficult to determine
how it will affect them as adults."
E) "Children with OA are less likely to become disabled." -- Correct
Answer ✔✔ A, E
Rationale: Children with OA are less likely to become disabled as adults and may
outgrow the OA as they age. It is not likely that children with OA will be disabled
as adults.
2) The nurse is teaching an older adult recently diagnosed with osteoarthritis (OA)
about interventions to help maintain mobility of the joints. Which should the nurse
include?
A) Jogging three times a week
B) Routine nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) use
C) Glucosamine and chondroitin supplements
D) Physical therapy -- Correct Answer ✔✔ D
Rationale: Physical therapy is particularly important for older adults with OA to
help them maintain or improve joint mobility. NSAIDs should generally not be
, used by older adults due to the risks associated with their use. Older adults
should use acetaminophen as a first-line drug and narcotics as a second-line
choice. Jogging is a high-impact activity that could place more stress on the joints
and would not be recommended. The utility of supplements has not been
supported as effective; additionally, the use of glucosamine and chondroitin may
increase the risk of bleeding.
3) Which surgical treatment should the nurse anticipate may be offered to clients with
osteoarthritis who cannot be managed with traditional treatment? (Select all that
apply.)
A) Arthroplasty
B) Serum hyaluronic acid
C) Joint fusion
D) Cortisone therapy
E) Osteotomy -- Correct Answer ✔✔ A, C, E
Rationale: Arthroplasty, osteotomy, and joint fusion are all surgical interventions
indicated for a client with osteoarthritis. Serum hyaluronic acid is a diagnostic
blood test for knee osteoarthritis and is not a surgical treatment. Cortisone
therapy is not a surgical treatment; it is injected into the inflamed joint.
4) The nurse is teaching older adults with osteoarthritis (OA) actions to effectively
manage chronic pain. Which recommendation should the nurse include? (Select all
that apply.)
A) Limiting isometric exercises to reduce strain on the joints
B) Using firm support in chairs and mattresses to properly align the body
C) Applying cool compresses to painful joints to reduce inflammation
D) Teaching proper posture and good body mechanics for activities of
mobility
E) Encouraging resting painful joints -- Correct Answer ✔✔ B, D, E
Rationale: Chronic pain is frequently associated with OA. When joints are painful,
they should be rested. The rest should be balanced with periods of activity, which
will reduce joint stiffness. Using proper posture and good body mechanics places
the body in proper alignment and offers the joints a neutral platform to perform
range of motion activities. Firm chairs and mattresses assist the body in proper
alignment. Heat should be applied to painful joints, which will increase joint
ACCURATE SOLUTIONS
1) The parents of a child newly diagnosed with juvenile osteoarthritis (OA) are
concerned about their child's future ability to be disability free and remain
independent. Which information should the nurse give the parents? (Select all that
apply.)
A) "Children may outgrow OA as they age."
B) "OA in children is generalized, thus impacting all joints and increasing
possible impairment."
C) "The amount of disability will depend on how well the OA is managed
as a child."
D) "OA in children is usually idiopathic, making it difficult to determine
how it will affect them as adults."
E) "Children with OA are less likely to become disabled." -- Correct
Answer ✔✔ A, E
Rationale: Children with OA are less likely to become disabled as adults and may
outgrow the OA as they age. It is not likely that children with OA will be disabled
as adults.
2) The nurse is teaching an older adult recently diagnosed with osteoarthritis (OA)
about interventions to help maintain mobility of the joints. Which should the nurse
include?
A) Jogging three times a week
B) Routine nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) use
C) Glucosamine and chondroitin supplements
D) Physical therapy -- Correct Answer ✔✔ D
Rationale: Physical therapy is particularly important for older adults with OA to
help them maintain or improve joint mobility. NSAIDs should generally not be
, used by older adults due to the risks associated with their use. Older adults
should use acetaminophen as a first-line drug and narcotics as a second-line
choice. Jogging is a high-impact activity that could place more stress on the joints
and would not be recommended. The utility of supplements has not been
supported as effective; additionally, the use of glucosamine and chondroitin may
increase the risk of bleeding.
3) Which surgical treatment should the nurse anticipate may be offered to clients with
osteoarthritis who cannot be managed with traditional treatment? (Select all that
apply.)
A) Arthroplasty
B) Serum hyaluronic acid
C) Joint fusion
D) Cortisone therapy
E) Osteotomy -- Correct Answer ✔✔ A, C, E
Rationale: Arthroplasty, osteotomy, and joint fusion are all surgical interventions
indicated for a client with osteoarthritis. Serum hyaluronic acid is a diagnostic
blood test for knee osteoarthritis and is not a surgical treatment. Cortisone
therapy is not a surgical treatment; it is injected into the inflamed joint.
4) The nurse is teaching older adults with osteoarthritis (OA) actions to effectively
manage chronic pain. Which recommendation should the nurse include? (Select all
that apply.)
A) Limiting isometric exercises to reduce strain on the joints
B) Using firm support in chairs and mattresses to properly align the body
C) Applying cool compresses to painful joints to reduce inflammation
D) Teaching proper posture and good body mechanics for activities of
mobility
E) Encouraging resting painful joints -- Correct Answer ✔✔ B, D, E
Rationale: Chronic pain is frequently associated with OA. When joints are painful,
they should be rested. The rest should be balanced with periods of activity, which
will reduce joint stiffness. Using proper posture and good body mechanics places
the body in proper alignment and offers the joints a neutral platform to perform
range of motion activities. Firm chairs and mattresses assist the body in proper
alignment. Heat should be applied to painful joints, which will increase joint
