Author Question: A patient who had arthroscopic surgery of the right knee 7 days ago is admitted with a red, swollen, ... (Read 77 times)

casperchen82 · **on:** Jun 25, 2018

A patient who had arthroscopic surgery of the right knee 7 days ago is admitted with a red, swollen, and hot knee. Which assessment finding by the nurse should be reported to the health care provider immediately?

a. The blood pressure is 86/50 mm Hg.
b. The white blood cell count is 11,500/L.
c. The patient is taking ibuprofen (Motrin).
d. The patient says the knee pain is severe.

Question 2

A 31-year-old woman is taking methotrexate (Rheumatrex) to treat rheumatoid arthritis. Which information from the patient's health history is important for the nurse to report to the health care provider about the methotrexate?

a. The patient had a history of infectious mononucleosis as a teenager.
b. The patient is trying to get pregnant before her disease becomes more severe.
c. The patient has a family history of age-related macular degeneration of the retina.
d. The patient has been using large doses of vitamins and health foods to treat the RA.

sultansheikh · **Reply #1 on:** Jun 25, 2018

Answer to Question 1

ANS: A
The low blood pressure suggests that the patient may be developing septicemia as a complication of septic arthritis. Immediate blood cultures and initiation of antibiotic therapy are indicated. The other information is typical of septic arthritis and should also be reported to the health care provider, but it does not indicate any immediately life-threatening problems.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: B
Methotrexate is teratogenic, and the patient should be taking contraceptives during methotrexate therapy. The other information will not impact the choice of methotrexate as therapy.