A patient is admitted for progressive lower extremity weakness and leg pain. Upon assessment, the nurse notes that the patient has difficulty ambulating and has a bent posture
Which of the following do these assessment findings suggest that the patient is experiencing? 1. degenerative stenosis
2. osteoarthritis
3. tendonitis
4. bursitis
1
Rationale: A combination of difficulty ambulating, lower extremity weakness, leg pain, and a bent posture would indicate the patient is experiencing degenerative stenosis of the spinal column. Degenerative stenosis causes a thinning of the cartilage between the vertebrae which can lead to compression of the spinal column or the spinal nerves, and can result in a variety of symptoms, including pain and deformity. Osteoarthritis is a dysfunction disorder in which cartilage between joints becomes irregular, and eventually is diminished. Pain and loss of function are complications. The patient might have osteoarthritis however the combination of symptoms should suggest degenerative stenosis to the nurse. There is not enough information to determine if the patient is experiencing tendonitis or bursitis.
You might also like to view...
The nurse is planning care for a patient with a large leg wound. Which of the following would increase the patient's risk for developing a wound infection?
1. arthritis of weight bearing joints 2. biventricular pacemaker inserted two years prior 3. smoking cessation 45 years ago 4. diagnosis of peripheral vascular disease
What would the nurse assess before beginning insulin therapy in a patient with hyperglycemic hyperosmolar nonketotic syndrome (HHNS)?
1. Sodium level (Na+) 2. Previous history of cardiac dysrhythmias 3. Potassium level (K+) 4. Arterial blood gas results
The first nursing journal owned, operated, and published by nurses was:
A) American Journal of Nursing B) Nurse Educator C) Nursing Research D) Standards of Clinical Nursing Practice
Free radicals play a major role in the initiation and progression of which diseases?1
a. Cardiovascular diseases such as hypertension and ischemic heart disease b. Renal diseases such as acute tubular necrosis and glomerulonephritis c. Gastrointestinal diseases such as peptic ulcer disease and Crohn disease d. Muscular disease such as muscular dystrophy and fibromyalgia