You are giving a presentation to the local senior citizens' club on ankylosing spondylitis
a. What is it?
b. How does it affect the body?
c. How does it begin?
d. What are the signs and symptoms?
e. List some of the more common treatments and nursing managements.
Students' answers should include the following:
a. It is a chronic connective tissue disorder of the spine and surrounding cartilaginous joints, including the sacroiliac joints and soft tissues around the vertebra of the spine.
b. Frequently, fusion of the vertebrae occurs.
c. Begins in early adulthood; more so in men than women
d. With disease progression, the hips and spine become immobile, causing movement to be restricted.
Lumbar spine may become flattened, the neck can be permanently flexed, and client may be in a permanent stooped position.
Other symptoms will include aortic regurgitation, reduced lung sounds, fatigue, weight loss, and anorexia.
e. Treatment is usually supportive, with function and posture as the main goal.
NSAIDs, indomethacin, and naproxen are for pain and inflammation.
RA drugs are also used.
Sleeping on a firm mattress is suggested, along with a back brace.
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1. 1.5 T 2. 2 T 3. 0.5 T 4. 18 T
A performance-based career advancement system provides a means to recognize and reward clinical ____
a. Attitudes b. Behaviors c. Expertise d. Teamwork
The client will be prescribed Achromycin. The nurse anticipates that this medication will be given:
a. with each meal. b. with extra water. c. on an empty stomach. d. one half-hour after meals.
The least common denominator of the fractions 
and 
is ________.
Fill in the blank(s) with the appropriate word(s).