Summer 2025 NUR 335 (Med-Surg 1) Exam 3 Study Outline Broward College

Summer 2024 NUR 335 (Med-Surg 1) Exam 3 Study Outline


Connective Tissue Disorders
 Describe the basic concepts of musculoskeletal & connective tissue
physiology
- all work together to give the body form, stability, support, and movement.
Connective tissue is a key component of the musculoskeletal system
o What are skeletal muscle, cartilage, tendons, ligaments, and bones?
o Skeletal muscle: composed of skeletal muscle fibers
o Tendons: attach muscle to bone, injuries due to overuse
o Ligaments: attach bone to bone, can rupture, less stable after injury,
capsular – part of joint capsule, extracapsular – provides stability
o Cartilage: strong flexible connective tissue, protects joints and
bones, acts as shock absorber, reduces friction and prevents bones
from rubbing together
o Bones: store calcium and release it into bloodstream when other
parts of body need it, holds the whole skeletal system together and
supports freedom of movement
 Osteoarthritis (OA)
o Risk Factors = aging, obesity, joint trauma, injury, joint overuse,
female
o S/S = one sided, decreased ROM, tenderness, swelling,
o Lab tests = x-ray, labs
o Nursing actions = decrease pain, maintain mobility, prevent injury,
medications, surgical joint replacement
o PT education = take meds, report pain & bleeding, physical activity,
home health referral
o Complications = diabetes, heart failure
 Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)
o Risk Factors = family history, smoking, environmental exposure
o S/S = bilateral joints, morning stiffness, joint pain & stiffness &
swelling
o Lab tests = rheumatic factor, ANA, Radiographs, ^ ESR, ^CRP, low
hemoglobin
o Nursing actions = ROM exercises, low fat diet, increase proteins,
surgical joint replacement, medication,
o PT education = meds, follow up with doctor, monitor for infections,



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,Summer 2024 NUR 335 (Med-Surg 1) Exam 3 Study Outline


o Complications = decreased function, permanent deformity, infection,
cancer
 Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE)
o Risk Factors = genetics, women, AA
o S/S = fatigue, pain or swelling in joints, headaches, sensitivity to
sunlight, rash on cheeks and nose, hair loss, sores in mouth
o Lab tests = physical, antinuclear antibody lab
o Nursing actions = maintain sleep schedule, increased protein, exercise,
avoid sun, meds, surgical renal transplant and joint replacement
o PT education = recognize triggers, sunscreen, conserve energy,
immunizations, meds, monitor for infection
o Complications = renal failure, heart disease, lung disease, stroke,
increase of infection
 Gout Fibromyalgia
o Risk Factors = obesity, older men, high meat and seafood diet,
thiazide diuretics, alcohol
o S/S = pain, inflammation, swelling, redness, tenderness of joint, only 1
joint
o Lab tests = uric acid
o Nursing actions = meds, diet with low meat and seafood, weight
management, no alcohol,
o PT education = maintain mobility & ROM of joint, don’t eat meats
and seafoods, no alcohol
o Complications = kidney stone
 What is the difference between Osteoarthritis (OA), Rheumatoid
Arthritis (RA), and Gout? Compare and contrast. What joints are
commonly affected?
- OA is one sided, the cartilage wears down over time, and is in the hands,
knees, and spine
- RA is bilateral, the synovial fluid in the joints are attacked and is in the
hands, wrists, feet, ankles, knees, shoulders, and elbows
- Gout is crystal buildup of uric acid, and is in the big toe, ankle, knee,
elbows and wrists
 What education, medications, and lifestyle modifications that can assist with
OA, RA and Gout?




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, Summer 2024 NUR 335 (Med-Surg 1) Exam 3 Study Outline


- Education = ROM exercises and mobility, physical activity but not too
much, not using the joint will cause inflammation
- Lifestyle modifications: limit alcohol, stop smoking, diet as needed
- Medications: NSAIDS, analgesics, glucocorticoids, DMARDs,
 What is a rheumatic disease?
o Large group of diseases that have exacerbations and remissions, can
affect many organs, autoimmune and bilateral
 What are exacerbations and remissions in the disease process?
o Chronic conditions with times of increase disease activity and little
disease activity, exac = high, remi = low
 What is the autoimmune component of RA and SLE?
o RA = synovium, SLE = healthy tissue
 What clinical manifestations outside of joints are common in RA and SLE?
o RA = nodules, dry eyes, dry mouth, lung disease, infections
o SLE: butterfly rash, hair loss, seizures
 Why is SLE called the great imitator disorder?
o It can resemble many other diseases and conditions
 What laboratory tests are indicative of RA, SLE, and the inflammatory
process?
o ANA: blood test that looks for antibodies that attack the nucleus of
healthy cells
o Rheumatic factor: measures rheumatoid factors in a sample of blood
o Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR): shows general inflammation
o C-reactive protein: shows general inflammation
 What are the common clinical manifestations in fibromyalgia? How can
lifestyle modifications help?
o S/S = body aches, fatigue, headache, cognitive impairment, abdominal
pain
o Lifestyle modifications = exercise, sleep study




Assessment of Respiratory Function, Oxygen Management, Upper & Lower
Respiratory Disorders; Infectious Respiratory Disorders
 Describe the normal structure and function of the respiratory system
(upper & lower airways).


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