Deck 18: Bone and Joint Health

Question 1

Which statement about joints in older adults is true?

A) Osteoarthritis is an inflammatory joint disorder.
B) Surgical joint replacement can cure osteoarthritis.
C) Joint damage in osteoarthritis is reversed with medication.
D) Very old adults should avoid joint replacement surgery.

Answer 1

Surgical joint replacement can cure osteoarthritis.

Question 2

An older female adult seeks advice from the nurse about preventing further bone loss after being diagnosed with osteopenia. To achieve the woman's goal, which teaching should the nurse provide to enhance the activity of osteoblasts?

A) Limit sodium intake.
B) Refrain from alcohol use.
C) Eat high-fibre foods.
D) Exercise with weights.

Answer 2

Exercise with weights.

Question 3

An osteoporosis-related fall necessitated hip-replacement surgery for an older female adult who is entering a rehabilitation facility. Which of the following goals is the nurse's priority during this woman's rehabilitation?

A) Tell the patient to eat whole grains, fruits, and vegetables.
B) Recapture the patient's preoperative mobility status.
C) Keep the patient's surgical wound clean and dry.
D) Tell the patient to take two steps into the walker.

Answer 3

Recapture the patient's preoperative mobility status.

Question 4

The nurse prepares an older male adult who has osteoarthritis (OA) for discharge. Which instruction does the nurse include in patient teaching to maintain safety for this man?

A) Take ibuprofen (Motrin) rather than opioid analgesics.
B) Increase rest periods to slow disease progression.
C) Report joint instability to the health care provider.
D) Avoid stretching the affected joint during exercise.

Question 5

Which of the following statements about osteoporosis is true?

A) Osteoporosis is indicative of an underlying health problem.
B) The most common site for osteoporosis fractures is in the long bones.
C) Women who are of African descent have the highest risk for osteoporosis.
D) A high risk of death follows an osteoporosis-related hip fracture.

Question 6

Which one of the following is a suitable nursing intervention for an older adult who has gout?

A) Vitamin D 400-1000 international units (IU)
B) Liquid paraffin hand baths and disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs
C) A diet low in purines
D) Aspirin 500 mg daily

Question 7

An older female adult with osteoarthritis is seen by the nurse. She has a low-grade fever, and she tells the nurse that her pain is changing: it is worse at night and in her shoulder muscles. What should the nurse do to determine if the older adult is now experiencing polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) rather than an exacerbation of her osteoarthritis?

A) Assess the patient's joints for swelling and redness.
B) Obtain blood specimens for blood cultures.
C) Direct the patient to report temporal or scalp pain.
D) Tell the patient to apply moist heat for 20 minutes.

Question 8

Which statement about rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is true?

A) Rheumatoid arthritis strikes different parts of the body unilaterally.
B) Patients with rheumatoid arthritis have no remissions and exacerbations.
C) Rheumatoid arthritis affects only joints.
D) Glucosamine can be helpful for patients in the first two years of rheumatoid arthritis.

Question 9

Which of the following assessments is typical for an older adult with osteoarthritis (OA)?

A) Narrow joint spaces with crepitus
B) Effects occurring in symmetrical joints
C) Morning stiffness for at least an hour
D) Swelling from excess synovial fluid

Question 10

An older male adult who has hyperuricemia complains of severe pain in the right ankle. Which instruction should the nurse include in patient teaching to enhance the action of medication the patient takes for his condition?

A) Avoid dehydration by drinking water.
B) Take aspirin when joints are red and hot.
C) Comply with antihypertensive diuretic regimen.
D) Avoid game meat, asparagus, and alcohol.

Question 11

Which of the following is a healthy practice recommended for a person at risk for osteoporosis?

A) Milk and orange juice at breakfast; cheese pizza at lunch; spaghetti served with spinach covered with melted cheese for dinner; and ice cream for dessert
B) Long-term estrogen administration as adjunct therapy
C) Steak with brown rice, celery, and red wine for dinner
D) Coffee, raisin bran and milk, and sausage at breakfast; a can of cola and a hot dog on a high-fibre bun at lunch; and a cocktail before dinner

Question 12

Which of the following represents characteristics of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) that are unlike osteoarthritis (OA)?

A) RA involves myalgia and stiffness.
B) RA involves joint pain, and it is curable.
C) RA involves crepitus and instability.
D) RA is systemic and symmetrical.

Question 13

After living with osteoporosis for two years, an older female adult's bone density scan shows no improvement. Which intervention should the nurse implement to reduce bone loss for this older adult?

A) Add tai chi or yoga exercises.
B) Instruct her to drink fortified milk.
C) Increase weight-bearing exercise.
D) Review her daily nutritional habits.