Osteoarthritis Practice Questions with
Complete Solutions
A patient with osteoarthritis asks if they should use a hot or cold pack on their affected joints.
What should the nurse recommend?
A) Cold packs should be used exclusively for all joint pain
✔✔B) Heat therapy can be used to relax muscles and ease stiffness, while cold can reduce
inflammation
C) Both heat and cold should be avoided in favor of ice baths
D) Heat therapy should be used only for swelling joints
Which of the following best describes the joint changes in osteoarthritis?
A) Inflammation of the entire joint with swelling and redness
✔✔B) Progressive degeneration of cartilage and changes in the underlying bone
C) Sudden, severe pain with rapid joint deformities
D) Complete bone fusion leading to immobility
A nurse is teaching a patient with osteoarthritis about assistive devices. Which statement by the
patient indicates a correct understanding of their use?
1
,A) "I will only use the cane when my joints are really swollen."
✔✔B) "I should use assistive devices as needed to reduce stress on the affected joint."
C) "I need to avoid using a cane because it will weaken my muscles."
D) "I will use the cane only for walking long distances."
Which of the following is the best way to manage osteoarthritis in the hands?
✔✔A) Use of splints to stabilize the joints during rest
B) Frequent use of cold compresses to numb the joints
C) Complete immobilization of the hands to prevent further damage
D) High-impact activities to strengthen hand muscles
What is an appropriate first-line approach for a patient newly diagnosed with osteoarthritis?
✔✔A) Weight management, joint protection strategies, and pain relief
B) Surgical intervention to repair cartilage damage
C) Immediate use of strong narcotics for pain relief
D) Immobilization of the joints for an extended period
Which of the following is the best first-line treatment for pain management in osteoarthritis?
2
, ✔✔A) Acetaminophen
B) Opioids
C) Corticosteroid injections
D) Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
A patient with osteoarthritis asks about weight-bearing exercises. What is the nurse's response?
A) Weight-bearing exercises should be avoided at all costs
✔✔B) Low-impact, weight-bearing exercises like walking can help improve joint function
C) Weight-bearing exercises should only be done after joint replacement surgery
D) Weight-bearing exercises should only be performed in the morning
Which of the following is a characteristic of osteoarthritis that differentiates it from rheumatoid
arthritis?
A) Symmetrical joint involvement
✔✔B) Localized joint pain and stiffness without systemic symptoms
C) Joint deformities in the early stages
D) Inflammatory markers consistently elevated
3
Complete Solutions
A patient with osteoarthritis asks if they should use a hot or cold pack on their affected joints.
What should the nurse recommend?
A) Cold packs should be used exclusively for all joint pain
✔✔B) Heat therapy can be used to relax muscles and ease stiffness, while cold can reduce
inflammation
C) Both heat and cold should be avoided in favor of ice baths
D) Heat therapy should be used only for swelling joints
Which of the following best describes the joint changes in osteoarthritis?
A) Inflammation of the entire joint with swelling and redness
✔✔B) Progressive degeneration of cartilage and changes in the underlying bone
C) Sudden, severe pain with rapid joint deformities
D) Complete bone fusion leading to immobility
A nurse is teaching a patient with osteoarthritis about assistive devices. Which statement by the
patient indicates a correct understanding of their use?
1
,A) "I will only use the cane when my joints are really swollen."
✔✔B) "I should use assistive devices as needed to reduce stress on the affected joint."
C) "I need to avoid using a cane because it will weaken my muscles."
D) "I will use the cane only for walking long distances."
Which of the following is the best way to manage osteoarthritis in the hands?
✔✔A) Use of splints to stabilize the joints during rest
B) Frequent use of cold compresses to numb the joints
C) Complete immobilization of the hands to prevent further damage
D) High-impact activities to strengthen hand muscles
What is an appropriate first-line approach for a patient newly diagnosed with osteoarthritis?
✔✔A) Weight management, joint protection strategies, and pain relief
B) Surgical intervention to repair cartilage damage
C) Immediate use of strong narcotics for pain relief
D) Immobilization of the joints for an extended period
Which of the following is the best first-line treatment for pain management in osteoarthritis?
2
, ✔✔A) Acetaminophen
B) Opioids
C) Corticosteroid injections
D) Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
A patient with osteoarthritis asks about weight-bearing exercises. What is the nurse's response?
A) Weight-bearing exercises should be avoided at all costs
✔✔B) Low-impact, weight-bearing exercises like walking can help improve joint function
C) Weight-bearing exercises should only be done after joint replacement surgery
D) Weight-bearing exercises should only be performed in the morning
Which of the following is a characteristic of osteoarthritis that differentiates it from rheumatoid
arthritis?
A) Symmetrical joint involvement
✔✔B) Localized joint pain and stiffness without systemic symptoms
C) Joint deformities in the early stages
D) Inflammatory markers consistently elevated
3
