Nursedive logo NurseDive
NurseDive

Nursing practice questions with comprehensive rationales

Start Free

NurseDive Free Nursing Practice Question

A client with Ankylosing Spondylitis is at risk for which of the following complications?

A. Kidney stones.

"Kidney stones." Kidney stones are not a common complication of Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS). While AS primarily affects the spine and joints, it does not directly increase the risk of kidney stones. Therefore, this choice is not the correct answer.

B. Decreased risk of osteoporosis.

"Decreased risk of osteoporosis." AS is associated with an increased risk of osteoporosis, not a decreased risk. The chronic inflammation and reduced mobility associated with AS can contribute to bone loss, making osteoporosis a potential complication.

C. Reduced lung capacity.

"Reduced lung capacity." Reduced lung capacity is a known complication of AS. In severe cases, AS can lead to restrictive lung disease due to the fusion of the ribs to the spine. This can restrict lung expansion and reduce lung capacity, leading to respiratory issues.

D. Improved cardiovascular health.

"Improved cardiovascular health." AS itself does not typically lead to improved cardiovascular health. In fact, chronic inflammation associated with AS may increase the risk of cardiovascular disease. Therefore, this choice is not the correct answer.

This question is an excerpt from Nurse Dive's nursing test bank - Ankylosing Spondylitis. Take the full exam now


Full Explanation

Choice A rationale:

"Kidney stones." Kidney stones are not a common complication of Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS).

While AS primarily affects the spine and joints, it does not directly increase the risk of kidney stones.

Therefore, this choice is not the correct answer.

Choice B rationale:

"Decreased risk of osteoporosis." AS is associated with an increased risk of osteoporosis, not a decreased risk.

The chronic inflammation and reduced mobility associated with AS can contribute to bone loss, making osteoporosis a potential complication.

Choice C rationale:

"Reduced lung capacity." Reduced lung capacity is a known complication of AS.

In severe cases, AS can lead to restrictive lung disease due to the fusion of the ribs to the spine.

This can restrict lung expansion and reduce lung capacity, leading to respiratory issues.

Choice D rationale:

"Improved cardiovascular health." AS itself does not typically lead to improved cardiovascular health.

In fact, chronic inflammation associated with AS may increase the risk of cardiovascular disease.

Therefore, this choice is not the correct answer.


Similar Questions

QUESTION
A nurse is discussing preventive measures for Ankylosing Spondylitis with a patient.
What advice should the nurse provide to the patient?

A. "Avoid exercise to prevent joint stiffness.”

"Avoid exercise to prevent joint stiffness." This statement is not accurate and is not a part of the recommended management for Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS). Exercise is crucial in managing AS to prevent joint stiffness and maintain mobility. Therefore, the nurse should not provide this advice.

B. "Don't worry about your posture; it won't affect your condition.”

"Don't worry about your posture; it won't affect your condition." Proper posture is essential in managing AS to prevent further spinal deformities and reduce pain. This statement is not accurate and should not be included in the nurse's advice to the patient.

C. "Early diagnosis and prompt treatment are essential.”

"Early diagnosis and prompt treatment are essential." This is the correct answer. Early diagnosis and prompt treatment are indeed essential in managing AS. Starting treatment early can help slow the progression of the disease and improve the patient's quality of life. Therefore, the nurse should emphasize the importance of early intervention.

D. "Smoking can help reduce the risk of severe symptoms.”

"Smoking can help reduce the risk of severe symptoms." This statement is completely inaccurate and should not be included in the nurse's advice. Smoking is detrimental to overall health and can worsen the symptoms of AS. The nurse should strongly advise against smoking for AS patients. Questions

Full Explanation

Choice A rationale:

"Avoid exercise to prevent joint stiffness." This statement is not accurate and is not a part of the recommended management for Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS).

Exercise is crucial in managing AS to prevent joint stiffness and maintain mobility.

Therefore, the nurse should not provide this advice.

Choice B rationale:

"Don't worry about your posture; it won't affect your condition." Proper posture is essential in managing AS to prevent further spinal deformities and reduce pain.

This statement is not accurate and should not be included in the nurse's advice to the patient.

Choice C rationale:

"Early diagnosis and prompt treatment are essential." This is the correct answer.

Early diagnosis and prompt treatment are indeed essential in managing AS.

Starting treatment early can help slow the progression of the disease and improve the patient's quality of life.

Therefore, the nurse should emphasize the importance of early intervention.

Choice D rationale:

"Smoking can help reduce the risk of severe symptoms." This statement is completely inaccurate and should not be included in the nurse's advice.

Smoking is detrimental to overall health and can worsen the symptoms of AS.

The nurse should strongly advise against smoking for AS patients.

Questions

QUESTION

A client with Ankylosing Spondylitis asks the nurse about treatment options.
What should the nurse include in the response?

A. "Treatment typically involves surgical joint replacement.”

"Treatment typically involves surgical joint replacement." Rationale: This statement is not accurate. While joint replacement surgery may be considered in severe cases of Ankylosing Spondylitis when joint damage is extensive, it is not a typical or first-line treatment option. Other conservative treatments are usually attempted before considering surgery.

B. "Physical therapy and exercise are crucial components of managing Ankylosing Spondylitis.”

"Physical therapy and exercise are crucial components of managing Ankylosing Spondylitis." Rationale: This statement is correct. Physical therapy and exercise play a crucial role in managing Ankylosing Spondylitis. They help improve flexibility, maintain range of motion, and strengthen the muscles supporting the spine, which can reduce pain and disability.

C. "There are no effective treatments available for Ankylosing Spondylitis.”

"There are no effective treatments available for Ankylosing Spondylitis." Rationale: This statement is not accurate. There are several effective treatments available for Ankylosing Spondylitis, including nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs), biologic medications, and physical therapy.

D. "Ankylosing Spondylitis is primarily managed with antibiotics.”

"Ankylosing Spondylitis is primarily managed with antibiotics." Rationale: This statement is not accurate. Ankylosing Spondylitis is not primarily managed with antibiotics. While bacterial infections may be associated with AS in some cases, the mainstay of treatment is focused on controlling inflammation and managing symptoms with medications and lifestyle interventions.

E. "Ankylosing Spondylitis is primarily managed with antibiotics.”

Full Explanation

Choice A rationale:

 "Treatment typically involves surgical joint replacement." Rationale: This statement is not accurate.

While joint replacement surgery may be considered in severe cases of Ankylosing Spondylitis when joint damage is extensive, it is not a typical or first-line treatment option.

Other conservative treatments are usually attempted before considering surgery.

Choice B rationale:

 "Physical therapy and exercise are crucial components of managing Ankylosing Spondylitis." Rationale: This statement is correct.

Physical therapy and exercise play a crucial role in managing Ankylosing Spondylitis.

They help improve flexibility, maintain range of motion, and strengthen the muscles supporting the spine, which can reduce pain and disability.

Choice C rationale:

 "There are no effective treatments available for Ankylosing Spondylitis." Rationale: This statement is not accurate.

There are several effective treatments available for Ankylosing Spondylitis, including nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs), biologic medications, and physical therapy.

Choice D rationale:

 "Ankylosing Spondylitis is primarily managed with antibiotics." Rationale: This statement is not accurate.

Ankylosing Spondylitis is not primarily managed with antibiotics.

While bacterial infections may be associated with AS in some cases, the mainstay of treatment is focused on controlling inflammation and managing symptoms with medications and lifestyle interventions.

QUESTION
A nurse is assessing a patient with Ankylosing Spondylitis.
Select all the appropriate nursing interventions for this patient.

A. Administering opioid pain medications as needed.

"Administering opioid pain medications as needed." Administering opioid pain medications as needed is not typically a first-line treatment for Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS). Opioids may be reserved for severe cases or when other pain management strategies have failed. It is not a primary nursing intervention and can have side effects and risks associated with its use.

B. Encouraging regular exercise and physical therapy.

"Encouraging regular exercise and physical therapy." Encouraging regular exercise and physical therapy is a crucial nursing intervention for patients with AS. Exercise and physical therapy help improve mobility, maintain joint function, and reduce pain. Therefore, this intervention is appropriate and should be included in the care plan.

C. Providing emotional support and counseling for anxiety.

"Providing emotional support and counseling for anxiety." Emotional support and counseling for anxiety are essential for patients with AS. Chronic conditions like AS can have a significant emotional impact, and addressing the patient's mental health is an important nursing intervention.

D. Recommending smoking cessation as a preventive measure.

"Recommending smoking cessation as a preventive measure." Smoking cessation is a relevant nursing intervention for AS patients. Smoking has been associated with worse outcomes in AS, and quitting smoking can be beneficial for overall health and symptom management.

E. Monitoring the patient's lung capacity and spinal curvature.

"Monitoring the patient's lung capacity and spinal curvature." Monitoring lung capacity and spinal curvature is important in the assessment and management of AS. AS can affect the spine and lungs, and regular monitoring helps identify any complications or disease progression. This nursing intervention is appropriate and necessary.

Full Explanation

Choice A rationale:

"Administering opioid pain medications as needed." Administering opioid pain medications as needed is not typically a first-line treatment for Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS).

Opioids may be reserved for severe cases or when other pain management strategies have failed.

It is not a primary nursing intervention and can have side effects and risks associated with its use.

Choice B rationale:

"Encouraging regular exercise and physical therapy." Encouraging regular exercise and physical therapy is a crucial nursing intervention for patients with AS.

Exercise and physical therapy help improve mobility, maintain joint function, and reduce pain.

Therefore, this intervention is appropriate and should be included in the care plan.

Choice C rationale:

"Providing emotional support and counseling for anxiety." Emotional support and counseling for anxiety are essential for patients with AS.

Chronic conditions like AS can have a significant emotional impact, and addressing the patient's mental health is an important nursing intervention.

Choice D rationale:

"Recommending smoking cessation as a preventive measure." Smoking cessation is a relevant nursing intervention for AS patients.

Smoking has been associated with worse outcomes in AS, and quitting smoking can be beneficial for overall health and symptom management.

Choice E rationale:

"Monitoring the patient's lung capacity and spinal curvature." Monitoring lung capacity and spinal curvature is important in the assessment and management of AS.

AS can affect the spine and lungs, and regular monitoring helps identify any complications or disease progression.

This nursing intervention is appropriate and necessary.