Question

A nurse is assessing a client who has rheumatoid arthritis. Which of the following findings should the nurse expect?

A) Decreased joint inflammation and pain in the morning.
B) Improved joint flexibility with rest.
C) Symmetric joint involvement and swelling.
D) Increased joint function with physical activity.

Answer 1

A nurse should expect to find symmetric joint involvement and swelling in a client with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), as it is a hallmark of this autoimmune disorder.

Step-by-step explanation:

When assessing a client with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), a nurse should expect to find symmetric joint involvement and swelling. RA is a chronic autoimmune disease characterized by inflammation of the synovial joints, which leads to swelling, stiffness, and pain. It commonly affects the hands, feet, and cervical spine. One key feature of RA is that it affects joints symmetrically. Unlike some joint disorders that may improve with rest or increase in joint function with activity, RA symptoms such as joint flexibility often worsen with rest and can improve with physical activity, although overdoing it can exacerbate symptoms. Managing RA includes the use of anti-inflammatory medications, physical therapy, and sometimes surgery to address severe joint damage.