An older client with osteoarthritis reports increasing pain and stiffness in the right knee and asks how to reduce these symptoms. In responding to the client, the nurse recognizes what pathology as the cause of the symptoms?
Destruction of joint cartilage.
Systemic inflammatory response.
Loss of bone mineral density.
Infectious process in the synovial fluid.
The Correct Answer is A
Rationale
A. Osteoarthritis is characterized by the gradual destruction of joint cartilage. Cartilage serves as a cushion between the bones in a joint, and its deterioration leads to pain, stiffness, and reduced joint function. As the cartilage wears away, bones may rub directly against each other, causing further pain and damage.
B. Osteoarthritis is primarily a degenerative condition rather than an inflammatory one. While mild inflammation can occur in OA, it is not as prominent as in autoimmune conditions like rheumatoid arthritis. In OA, inflammation is secondary to cartilage damage rather than a primary driver of the disease process.
C. Loss of bone mineral density is more characteristic of osteoporosis, a condition where bones become weak and brittle. Osteoporosis involves a decrease in bone mass throughout the skeleton, whereas osteoarthritis specifically targets the joints and affects cartilage rather than bone density.
D. An infectious process in the synovial fluid could indicate septic arthritis, which is characterized by infection in the joint space. This is typically associated with acute symptoms such as severe joint pain, swelling, warmth, and fever.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Rationale
A. The client's pH is low (acidotic), and the PaCO2 is high (respiratory acidosis). Increasing the rate of ventilation (respiratory rate) can help to decrease PaCO2 by increasing alveolar ventilation, thereby helping to correct respiratory acidosis.
B. Expiratory flow time affects the time available for exhalation. While this may affect the overall mechanics of ventilation, it is not directly targeting the primary issue of elevated PaCO2 and acidosis.
C. Increasing tidal volume increases the volume of air delivered with each breath. This can improve ventilation efficiency but may not address the underlying problem of elevated PaCO2 unless it leads to increased minute ventilation.
D. Expiratory pressure is related to positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP), which helps maintain alveolar recruitment and improve oxygenation. Decreasing expiratory pressure may not directly address the elevated PaCO2 and acidosis.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Rationale
A. Repositioning the stethoscope or reinflating the cuff may be necessary if the sounds are unclear or if there is difficulty in hearing the Korotkoff sounds, but these actions come after noting any auscultatory gap.
B. It's characterized by a period of silence between the appearance and disappearance of sounds. Noting its presence is important for accurately recording the blood pressure readings, as failure to recognize an auscultatory gap could lead to underestimating the systolic pressure.
C. After repositioning the stethoscope or noting the presence of an auscultatory gap, the nurse should proceed with the blood pressure assessment.
D. If the cuff was not inflated adequately during the initial inflation, the nurse may not have occluded the artery completely, leading to inaccurate readings. However, in this scenario where Korotkoff sounds
are heard, it indicates that the cuff pressure was sufficient to occlude and then release the artery's blood flow.
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