NUR 555 Quiz 4| QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS |
2026 UPDATE | WITH COMPLETE SOLUTIONS
What is the mean age of onset for Giant Cell Arteritis (GCA)?
79 years
What is the relationship between Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR) and Giant Cell Arteritis
(GCA)?
They probably represent a spectrum of one disease and frequently coexist.
What is the typical prednisone dosage for treating Polymyalgia Rheumatica?
10-20 mg/day orally.
What complications can Giant Cell Arteritis cause?
Blindness, aortitis, and large artery complications.
What is the incidence of Polymyalgia Rheumatica and Giant Cell Arteritis with age?
Incidence increases with each decade of life.
What type of vasculitis is Giant Cell Arteritis classified as?
Granulomatous vasculitis affecting large and medium arteries.
What percentage of patients with GCA also have PMR?
40-60%.
What are the common symptoms of Polymyalgia Rheumatica?
,Pain and stiffness in shoulders and hips, prolonged morning stiffness, fatigue, low-grade fever,
and weight loss.
What are the key symptoms of Giant Cell Arteritis?
New headache, scalp tenderness, jaw claudication, visual symptoms, and systemic symptoms
like fever and fatigue.
What is the significance of the temporal artery in diagnosing GCA?
It can be normal or show signs of nodularity, enlargement, tenderness, or reduced pulses.
What imaging techniques are used for diagnosing Giant Cell Arteritis?
Ultrasound, MRI, CT, or PET scans.
What laboratory findings are typically seen in patients with PMR?
Elevated ESR and CRP in over 90% of cases.
What is the gold standard for diagnosing Giant Cell Arteritis?
Temporal artery biopsy.
What is the initial treatment for Giant Cell Arteritis?
40-60 mg/day of prednisone or prednisolone.
What is the recommended tapering schedule for GCA treatment?
Begin tapering after 2-4 weeks of symptom control, reducing by 10% every 1-2 weeks.
What are the potential side effects of long-term corticosteroid use in PMR?
Disease flares are common, and patients may require some dose of prednisone for at least 1 year.
, What is the role of IL-6 inhibitors in managing GCA?
They can reduce the prolonged use of prednisone and decrease the risk of disease flare or
relapse.
What characterizes Primary Raynaud Phenomenon?
Benign course, usually affects young women, and is idiopathic.
What distinguishes Secondary Raynaud Phenomenon from Primary?
Secondary can cause severe complications like digital ulceration or gangrene.
What triggers episodes of Raynaud Phenomenon?
Cold or emotional stress.
What is the initial phase of Raynaud Phenomenon characterized by?
Excessive vasoconstriction leading to digital pallor and cyanosis.
What occurs during the recovery phase of Raynaud Phenomenon?
Vasodilation leading to intense hyperemia and rubor.
What demographic is most affected by Primary Raynaud Phenomenon?
Women aged 15-30.
What symptoms are associated with Secondary Raynaud Phenomenon?
May involve unilateral symptoms and can cause digital pitting or gangrene.
What is the typical clinical presentation of Polymyalgia Rheumatica?
Pain and stiffness in shoulder and pelvic girdle areas, often with fever and malaise.
2026 UPDATE | WITH COMPLETE SOLUTIONS
What is the mean age of onset for Giant Cell Arteritis (GCA)?
79 years
What is the relationship between Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR) and Giant Cell Arteritis
(GCA)?
They probably represent a spectrum of one disease and frequently coexist.
What is the typical prednisone dosage for treating Polymyalgia Rheumatica?
10-20 mg/day orally.
What complications can Giant Cell Arteritis cause?
Blindness, aortitis, and large artery complications.
What is the incidence of Polymyalgia Rheumatica and Giant Cell Arteritis with age?
Incidence increases with each decade of life.
What type of vasculitis is Giant Cell Arteritis classified as?
Granulomatous vasculitis affecting large and medium arteries.
What percentage of patients with GCA also have PMR?
40-60%.
What are the common symptoms of Polymyalgia Rheumatica?
,Pain and stiffness in shoulders and hips, prolonged morning stiffness, fatigue, low-grade fever,
and weight loss.
What are the key symptoms of Giant Cell Arteritis?
New headache, scalp tenderness, jaw claudication, visual symptoms, and systemic symptoms
like fever and fatigue.
What is the significance of the temporal artery in diagnosing GCA?
It can be normal or show signs of nodularity, enlargement, tenderness, or reduced pulses.
What imaging techniques are used for diagnosing Giant Cell Arteritis?
Ultrasound, MRI, CT, or PET scans.
What laboratory findings are typically seen in patients with PMR?
Elevated ESR and CRP in over 90% of cases.
What is the gold standard for diagnosing Giant Cell Arteritis?
Temporal artery biopsy.
What is the initial treatment for Giant Cell Arteritis?
40-60 mg/day of prednisone or prednisolone.
What is the recommended tapering schedule for GCA treatment?
Begin tapering after 2-4 weeks of symptom control, reducing by 10% every 1-2 weeks.
What are the potential side effects of long-term corticosteroid use in PMR?
Disease flares are common, and patients may require some dose of prednisone for at least 1 year.
, What is the role of IL-6 inhibitors in managing GCA?
They can reduce the prolonged use of prednisone and decrease the risk of disease flare or
relapse.
What characterizes Primary Raynaud Phenomenon?
Benign course, usually affects young women, and is idiopathic.
What distinguishes Secondary Raynaud Phenomenon from Primary?
Secondary can cause severe complications like digital ulceration or gangrene.
What triggers episodes of Raynaud Phenomenon?
Cold or emotional stress.
What is the initial phase of Raynaud Phenomenon characterized by?
Excessive vasoconstriction leading to digital pallor and cyanosis.
What occurs during the recovery phase of Raynaud Phenomenon?
Vasodilation leading to intense hyperemia and rubor.
What demographic is most affected by Primary Raynaud Phenomenon?
Women aged 15-30.
What symptoms are associated with Secondary Raynaud Phenomenon?
May involve unilateral symptoms and can cause digital pitting or gangrene.
What is the typical clinical presentation of Polymyalgia Rheumatica?
Pain and stiffness in shoulder and pelvic girdle areas, often with fever and malaise.
