Hesi CB Case Study
Meet the Client: Terry Barnes, a 35-year-old mother of three young children, visits the healthcare clinic. She reports experiencing
... [Show More] increasing bilateral joint pain, especially in her hands, wrists, and knees. She also reports increasing fatigue and a weight loss of 5 pounds over the last 2 months. She states she has been taking a couple of aspirins a day, but the joint pain is increasing, and she is hesitant to take more medication without a medical evaluation. She appears tense and anxious, and states that she is upset because it is becoming increasingly more difficult to do all the little things necessary to care for her three children. She states, "I'm too young to have arthritis. That's something you get when you're old." Terry's initial medical diagnosis is rheumatoid arthritis, and she is scheduled for diagnostic evaluation.
Terry is scheduled for a Complete Blood Count (CBC), rheumatoid factor (RF), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), joint x-rays, and a bone scan. Additional diagnostic tests, which may be performed to help diagnose rheumatoid arthritis, include MRI and synovial fluid analysis, or synovial biopsy.
Which nursing intervention related to the scheduled bone scan is most important to implement
Terry's test results confirm the diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis. Her CBC shows normochromic anemia, her RF is positive, and her ESR is elevated. The x-rays and bone scan show evidence of rheumatoid arthritis. Terry is told of her diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). She expresses confusion, and states, "How did I get this? What is it? How long will I be like this?" The nurse explains, "Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease affecting not only joints, but organ systems as well. The symptoms of this inflammatory disease can often be controlled, but the disease itself cannot be cured. It is a chronic, progressive disease that seems to affect women more often than men."
Which etiologic factor is related to the onset of rheumatoid arthritis?
The nurse completes an assessment of Terry. In addition to the bilateral swollen tender joints, weight loss, and fatigue, what additional manifestations of RA might Terry exhibit? [Show Less]