Rheumatoid Arthritis Midterm Exam
Questions And All Correct Answers.
1) Which of the following complications is not associated with a diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA)?
A) Increased risk of cesarean delivery
B) Increased risk of pleural effusion
C) Increased likelihood of uveitis
D) Increased risk of anemia - Answer Answer: A
Explanation: A) All individuals with RA are at increased risk of plural effusion and uveitis, although the
latter condition is most commonly associated with juvenile RA. Between 25% and 35% of clients with RA
have mild anemia. However, pregnant women with RA are no more likely to undergo cesarean delivery
than pregnant women without RA.
) A client who was recently diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) asks the nurse if RA always causes
crippling deformities. What information should the nurse include when teaching this client about ways
to decrease the likelihood of crippling deformities? Select all that apply.
A) Ignore pain as a warning signal.
B) Type instead of hand-writing items if possible.
C) Use the strongest joints possible to complete most tasks.
D) Avoid stress to any current area of deformity.
E) Stop an activity immediately if it is beyond your ability to perform. - Answer Answer: B, C, D, E
Explanation: The client with RA should never attempt to push a joint beyond its ability. Pain is a warning
signal, so the client with RA should immediately stop any activity that causes pain. The client should also
use the strongest joints possible to complete tasks, and he or she should avoid activities (like writing)
that require a strong grip. In addition, when performing tasks, the client should avoid stress in any
current area of deformity to help prevent further deformities.
3) Based on gender and age alone, which of the following clients is most likely to experience the new
onset of rheumatoid arthritis (RA)?
A) A 31-year-old man
B) A 42-year-old woman
C) A 65-year-old woman
, D) An 18-year-old man - Answer Answer: B
Explanation: RA is the most common form of autoimmune arthritis, affecting from 1% to 2% of the
worldwide population. RA affects three times as many women as men, and while the typical age of onset
is between 40 and 60 years, this disease strikes people of all ages.
4) The nurse is collecting a health history for a client being seen in an outpatient clinic who complains of
joint pain and swelling that have lasted for about 2 months. The client is diagnosed with rheumatoid
arthritis (RA). Which of the following statements made by this client supports the nursing diagnosis of
Activity Intolerance?
A) "I seem to get tired early in the day and require a nap."
B) "My joints are stiffest at night before I go to sleep."
C) "I find it difficult to move when I first get up in the morning."
D) "I take ibuprofen for the pain as needed." - Answer Answer: A
Explanation: A) One hallmark symptom of RA is extreme fatigue. The client's statement regarding the
need for a nap supports the inclusion of Activity Intolerance in the plan of care. Based on this diagnosis,
the nurse would teach the client about the need for frequent rest periods during the day to conserve
energy. The joints of RA clients are usually stiffest in the morning, but that would not interfere with
activities later in the day. Also, taking ibuprofen for pain does not affect the client's ability to engage in
activity.
5) The nurse is completing a health screening for a school-age child with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The
parents ask the nurse to recommend activities that will promote exercise for their child. Which
recommendation by the nurse is most appropriate?
A) Swimming
B) Football
C) Softball
D) Basketball - Answer Answer: A
Explanation: A) Swimming exercises all the extremities without putting undue stress on joints. In
contrast, softball, football, or basketball could all exacerbate joint discomfort.
6) A client with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is being seen in the outpatient clinic for a progress checkup.
Which of the following statements on the part of the client suggests that she has met a goal of
treatment?
A) "I sleep for 10 hours at night."
Questions And All Correct Answers.
1) Which of the following complications is not associated with a diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA)?
A) Increased risk of cesarean delivery
B) Increased risk of pleural effusion
C) Increased likelihood of uveitis
D) Increased risk of anemia - Answer Answer: A
Explanation: A) All individuals with RA are at increased risk of plural effusion and uveitis, although the
latter condition is most commonly associated with juvenile RA. Between 25% and 35% of clients with RA
have mild anemia. However, pregnant women with RA are no more likely to undergo cesarean delivery
than pregnant women without RA.
) A client who was recently diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) asks the nurse if RA always causes
crippling deformities. What information should the nurse include when teaching this client about ways
to decrease the likelihood of crippling deformities? Select all that apply.
A) Ignore pain as a warning signal.
B) Type instead of hand-writing items if possible.
C) Use the strongest joints possible to complete most tasks.
D) Avoid stress to any current area of deformity.
E) Stop an activity immediately if it is beyond your ability to perform. - Answer Answer: B, C, D, E
Explanation: The client with RA should never attempt to push a joint beyond its ability. Pain is a warning
signal, so the client with RA should immediately stop any activity that causes pain. The client should also
use the strongest joints possible to complete tasks, and he or she should avoid activities (like writing)
that require a strong grip. In addition, when performing tasks, the client should avoid stress in any
current area of deformity to help prevent further deformities.
3) Based on gender and age alone, which of the following clients is most likely to experience the new
onset of rheumatoid arthritis (RA)?
A) A 31-year-old man
B) A 42-year-old woman
C) A 65-year-old woman
, D) An 18-year-old man - Answer Answer: B
Explanation: RA is the most common form of autoimmune arthritis, affecting from 1% to 2% of the
worldwide population. RA affects three times as many women as men, and while the typical age of onset
is between 40 and 60 years, this disease strikes people of all ages.
4) The nurse is collecting a health history for a client being seen in an outpatient clinic who complains of
joint pain and swelling that have lasted for about 2 months. The client is diagnosed with rheumatoid
arthritis (RA). Which of the following statements made by this client supports the nursing diagnosis of
Activity Intolerance?
A) "I seem to get tired early in the day and require a nap."
B) "My joints are stiffest at night before I go to sleep."
C) "I find it difficult to move when I first get up in the morning."
D) "I take ibuprofen for the pain as needed." - Answer Answer: A
Explanation: A) One hallmark symptom of RA is extreme fatigue. The client's statement regarding the
need for a nap supports the inclusion of Activity Intolerance in the plan of care. Based on this diagnosis,
the nurse would teach the client about the need for frequent rest periods during the day to conserve
energy. The joints of RA clients are usually stiffest in the morning, but that would not interfere with
activities later in the day. Also, taking ibuprofen for pain does not affect the client's ability to engage in
activity.
5) The nurse is completing a health screening for a school-age child with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The
parents ask the nurse to recommend activities that will promote exercise for their child. Which
recommendation by the nurse is most appropriate?
A) Swimming
B) Football
C) Softball
D) Basketball - Answer Answer: A
Explanation: A) Swimming exercises all the extremities without putting undue stress on joints. In
contrast, softball, football, or basketball could all exacerbate joint discomfort.
6) A client with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is being seen in the outpatient clinic for a progress checkup.
Which of the following statements on the part of the client suggests that she has met a goal of
treatment?
A) "I sleep for 10 hours at night."
