NUR200 Rheumatoid Arthritis Final
Review Questions And Already Passed
Answers.
1) A 43-year-old woman, recently diagnosed with RA, asks the nurse whether she might have concerns
beyond the problems with her joints. The nurse informs her that RA may also involve:
Select all that apply.
A) The respiratory system.
B) The cardiovascular system.
C) The exocrine system.
D) The reproductive system.
E) The hematologic system. - Answer Answer: A, B, C, E
Explanation: A) RA can result in pleural effusion (collection of fluid in the pleural space). Individuals with
RA have an increased risk of developing coronary heart disease. RA is a systemic disease of connective
tissue that can affect exocrine glands, resulting most frequently in dry eyes and mouth. Properly
managed, rheumatoid arthritis is not considered to be a danger for pregnant women or their babies.
Patients with RA may suffer from a variety of hematologic disorders, particularly anemia.
Page Ref: 495
Cognitive Level: Analyzing
Client Need: Physiological Integrity
Nursing Process: Analysis
Learning Outcome: 1. Describe the pathophysiology, etiology, clinical manifestations, and direct and
indirect causes of rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
2) A client has just recently been diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The client asks the nurse if
RA always causes crippling deformities. The nurse tells the client that to decrease the likelihood of
deformities, it is important to:
Select all that apply.
A) Ignore pain as a warning signal.
B) Type instead of hand-writing items if possible.
, C) Use stronger joints for most activity.
D) Avoid stress to any current area of deformity.
E) Stop an activity if it is beyond your ability to perform. - Answer Answer: B, C, D, E
Explanation: A) The client with RA should never attempt to push a joint beyond its ability. Writing
requires using a strong grip, so typing is preferable. Using a stronger joint or part of the body, such as the
palm, to carry items is preferable to grasping. Pain is a warning signal, and the client with RA should stop
any activity that causes pain. When performing a task, the client should avoid stress in the area of the
deformity to help prevent further deformities.
Page Ref: 505
Cognitive Level: Applying
Client Need: Physiological Integrity
Nursing Process: Implementation
Learning Outcome: 2. Identify risk factors and prevention methods associated with RA.
3) A female client who was recently diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) asks the nurse if the cause
of the disease is the fact that her family is of Hispanic descent. Which is the most appropriate response
by the nurse to this client?
A) "RA affects those of German descent most often."
B) "RA is most prevalent in Caucasian females."
C) "RA is most prevalent in men under the age of 20 years."
D) "RA affects all races at the same rate." - Answer Answer: D
Explanation: A) RA affects 12% of the total population across all races. It affects women 3 times more
than men, and the onset is usually between the ages of 20 and 40 years.
Page Ref: 496
Cognitive Level: Applying
Client Need: Psychosocial Integrity
Nursing Process: Implementation
Learning Outcome: 3. Illustrate the nursing process in providing culturally competent care across the life
span for individuals with rheumatoid arthritis.
Review Questions And Already Passed
Answers.
1) A 43-year-old woman, recently diagnosed with RA, asks the nurse whether she might have concerns
beyond the problems with her joints. The nurse informs her that RA may also involve:
Select all that apply.
A) The respiratory system.
B) The cardiovascular system.
C) The exocrine system.
D) The reproductive system.
E) The hematologic system. - Answer Answer: A, B, C, E
Explanation: A) RA can result in pleural effusion (collection of fluid in the pleural space). Individuals with
RA have an increased risk of developing coronary heart disease. RA is a systemic disease of connective
tissue that can affect exocrine glands, resulting most frequently in dry eyes and mouth. Properly
managed, rheumatoid arthritis is not considered to be a danger for pregnant women or their babies.
Patients with RA may suffer from a variety of hematologic disorders, particularly anemia.
Page Ref: 495
Cognitive Level: Analyzing
Client Need: Physiological Integrity
Nursing Process: Analysis
Learning Outcome: 1. Describe the pathophysiology, etiology, clinical manifestations, and direct and
indirect causes of rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
2) A client has just recently been diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The client asks the nurse if
RA always causes crippling deformities. The nurse tells the client that to decrease the likelihood of
deformities, it is important to:
Select all that apply.
A) Ignore pain as a warning signal.
B) Type instead of hand-writing items if possible.
, C) Use stronger joints for most activity.
D) Avoid stress to any current area of deformity.
E) Stop an activity if it is beyond your ability to perform. - Answer Answer: B, C, D, E
Explanation: A) The client with RA should never attempt to push a joint beyond its ability. Writing
requires using a strong grip, so typing is preferable. Using a stronger joint or part of the body, such as the
palm, to carry items is preferable to grasping. Pain is a warning signal, and the client with RA should stop
any activity that causes pain. When performing a task, the client should avoid stress in the area of the
deformity to help prevent further deformities.
Page Ref: 505
Cognitive Level: Applying
Client Need: Physiological Integrity
Nursing Process: Implementation
Learning Outcome: 2. Identify risk factors and prevention methods associated with RA.
3) A female client who was recently diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) asks the nurse if the cause
of the disease is the fact that her family is of Hispanic descent. Which is the most appropriate response
by the nurse to this client?
A) "RA affects those of German descent most often."
B) "RA is most prevalent in Caucasian females."
C) "RA is most prevalent in men under the age of 20 years."
D) "RA affects all races at the same rate." - Answer Answer: D
Explanation: A) RA affects 12% of the total population across all races. It affects women 3 times more
than men, and the onset is usually between the ages of 20 and 40 years.
Page Ref: 496
Cognitive Level: Applying
Client Need: Psychosocial Integrity
Nursing Process: Implementation
Learning Outcome: 3. Illustrate the nursing process in providing culturally competent care across the life
span for individuals with rheumatoid arthritis.
