Author Question: A patient who has had rheumatoid arthritis for years comes to the clinic to ask about changes in her ... (Read 315 times)

charchew · **on:** Jun 25, 2018

A patient who has had rheumatoid arthritis for years comes to the clinic to ask about changes in her fingers. The nurse will assess for signs of what problems?

a. Heberden nodes
b. Bouchard nodules
c. Swan-neck deformities
d. Dupuytren contractures

Question 2

A woman who has had rheumatoid arthritis for years is starting to notice that her fingers are drifting to the side. The nurse knows that this condition is commonly referred to as:

a. Radial drift.
b. Ulnar deviation.
c. Swan-neck deformity.
d. Dupuytren contracture.

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

Answer to Question 1

ANS: C
Changes in the fingers caused by chronic rheumatoid arthritis include swan-neck and boutonniere deformities. Heberden nodes and Bouchard nodules are associated with osteoarthritis. Dupuytren contractures of the digits occur because of chronic hyperplasia of the palmar fascia

Answer to Question 2

ANS: B
Fingers drift to the ulnar side because of stretching of the articular capsule and muscle imbalance caused by chronic rheumatoid arthritis. A radial drift is not observed.