While assessing a patient with degenerative joint disease, the nurse notices Heberden’s nodes, and large prominences on the patient’s fingers that are reddened and painful.

What should the nurse do?

Discuss strategies for managing chronic pain with the patient.

Check the patient’s radial pulses and capillary refill time.

Immediately notify the healthcare provider of the finding.

Review the patient’s dietary intake of high-protein foods.

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is A

Choice A rationale
Heberden’s nodes are bony swellings that develop at the end joints (distal interphalangeal joints) of fingers, particularly the fingers closest to the nails. They are a characteristic feature of osteoarthritis, a degenerative joint disease. Osteoarthritis causes the protective cartilage in the joints to wear down over time, leading to the development of these bony growths, which can be painful and limit joint movement. Therefore, discussing strategies for managing chronic pain with the patient is the most appropriate action for the nurse to take.
Choice B rationale
While checking the patient’s radial pulses and capillary refill time is a part of a comprehensive physical assessment, it is not directly related to the management of Heberden’s nodes or osteoarthritis.
Choice C rationale
Although Heberden’s nodes are a sign of osteoarthritis, they are not typically an emergency that requires immediate notification of the healthcare provider. They are a common finding in individuals with osteoarthritis and are usually managed with conservative measures such as pain management and physical therapy.
Choice D rationale
Reviewing the patient’s dietary intake of high-protein foods is not directly related to the management of Heberden’s nodes or osteoarthritis. While a balanced diet is important for overall health, it does not specifically address the pain and limited joint movement associated with Heberden’s nodes.

Nursing Test Bank

Quiz #1: RN Exams Pharmacology Exams Quiz #2: RN Exams Medical-Surgical Exams Quiz #3: RN Exams Fundamentals Exams Quiz #4: RN Exams Maternal-Newborn Exams Quiz #5: RN Exams Anatomy and Physiology Exams Quiz #6: RN Exams Obstetrics and Pediatrics Exams Quiz #7: RN Exams Fluid and Electrolytes Exams Quiz #8: RN Exams Community Health Exams Quiz #9: RN Exams Promoting Health across the lifespan Exams Quiz #10: RN Exams Multidimensional care Exams

Get 100+ Naxlex Exit Exams for $79 Try Naxlex NCLEX-RN (14 Day Free-Trial)

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

Quiz #1: Naxlex RN Comprehensive online practice 2019 B with NGN Quiz #2: Naxlex RN Comprehensive Predictor 2023 Quiz #3: Naxlex RN Comprehensive Predictor 2023 Exit Exam A Quiz #4: Naxlex HESI Exit LPN Exam Quiz #5: Naxlex PN Comprehensive Predictor PN 2020 Quiz #6: Naxlex VATI PN Comprehensive Predictor 2020 Quiz #8: Naxlex PN Comprehensive Predictor 2023 - Exam 1 Quiz #10: Naxlex HESI PN Exit exam Quiz #11: Naxlex HESI PN EXIT Exam 2

Free Nursing Study Resources

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

Choice A rationale
Brown, rough, greasy, wart-like papules on the face are not typically associated with overexposure to PUVA treatment. These symptoms could be indicative of a different skin condition.
Choice B rationale
Thick skin plaques topped by silvery-white scales are characteristic of psoriasis vulgaris, not overexposure to PUVA treatment. PUVA is used to treat these symptoms, not cause them.
Choice C rationale
Needing sunglasses because sunlight hurts the eyes is not a typical sign of overexposure to PUVA treatment. This could be a sign of a different issue, such as an eye condition or side effect from a different medication.
Choice D rationale
Tenderness upon palpation and generalized erythema are signs of overexposure to PUVA treatment. If a patient is overexposed to PUVA, they may experience a burning sensation, discomfort, and redness at the treatment site.

A. Obtain a sputum sample. B. Arrange transport for radiographic imaging. C. Move the patient into airborne isolation. D. Collect specimens for blood cultures.

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

Choice A rationale
Obtaining a sputum sample is important for diagnosing respiratory infections, but it is not the priority intervention in this case. The patient’s symptoms of intermittent fever, night sweats, and a productive cough with small amounts of blood are indicative of a possible airborne disease such as tuberculosis.
Choice B rationale
Arranging transport for radiographic imaging can be helpful in diagnosing the patient’s condition, but it is not the immediate priority. The primary concern should be to prevent the potential spread of an airborne disease.
Choice C rationale
Moving the patient into airborne isolation is the priority intervention. This action is taken to prevent the spread of potential airborne diseases to other patients and healthcare workers.
Choice D rationale
Collecting specimens for blood cultures can help identify the causative organism if the patient has a systemic infection. However, given the patient’s symptoms and the potential for an airborne disease, moving the patient into isolation is the priority.

View Question and Answer

Whether you are a student looking to ace your exams or a practicing nurse seeking to enhance your expertise , our nursing education contents will empower you with the confidence and competence to make a difference in the lives of patients and become a respected leader in the healthcare field.

Visit Naxlex, invest in your future and unlock endless possibilities with our unparalleled nursing education contents today

While assessing a patient with degenerative joint disease, the nurse notices Heberden’s nodes, and large prominences on the patient’s fingers that are reddened and painful. What should the nurse do?

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

The nurse is caring for a client diagnosed with psoriasis vulgaris who is receiving a psoralen and ultraviolet A light (PUVA) treatment. Which assessment finding indicates that the client has been overexposed to the treatment?

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

A patient has arrived at the emergency department reporting intermittent fever and night sweats for the past three weeks and has developed a cough that is productive with small amounts of blood. What should be the nurse’s priority intervention?

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

The parent of an adolescent tells the clinic nurse, “My child has athlete’s foot. I have been applying triple antibiotic ointment for two days, but there has been no improvement.”. Which instruction should the nurse provide?

The nurse assesses a client with cirrhosis and finds 4+ pitting edema of the feet and legs, and massive ascites. Which mechanism contributes to edema and ascites in clients with cirrhosis?

A client with a history of hypothyroidism was initially admitted with lethargy and confusion. Which additional finding should the nurse act upon immediately?

A nurse is assessing a client who has an arteriovenous (AV) graft in the right forearm for hemodialysis access. The nurse auscultates a bruit over the graft area. Which intervention should the nurse implement?

The nurse is caring for a patient with a burn that is severely swollen, and the wound bed appears brown and yellow. The patient reports no pain. How should the nurse classify the depth of this burn?

A nurse is educating a patient with Type 2 diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy. What advice should the nurse give?

The nurse assesses a client with petechiae and ecchymosis scattered across the arms and legs. Which laboratory result should the nurse review?

While assessing a patient with degenerative joint disease, the nurse notices Heberden’s nodes, and large prominences on the patient’s fingers that are reddened and painful.

What should the nurse do?