Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA) Practice Questions

The nurse is teaching the parent of a child newly diagnosed with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). The nurse would evaluate the teaching as successful when the parent is able to say that the disorder is caused by the: 1. Breakdown of osteoclasts in the joint space causing bone loss. 2. Loss of cartilage in the joints. 3. Buildup of calcium crystals in joint spaces. 4. Immune-stimulated inflammatory response in the joint. -ANSWERS--4 1. This is part of the normal breakdown and buildup of bone in the body. 2. This is part of the process for osteoarthritis. 3. This is the pathophysiology of calcium chondrosis. 4. JIA is caused by an immune response by the body on the joint spaces. TEST-TAKING HINT: The test taker must understand JIA is an immune-modulated disorder in which the body attacks itself, causing destruction of the joint spaces Which would the nurse teach an adolescent is a complication of corticosteroids used in the treatment of juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA)? 1. Fat loss. 2. Adrenal stimulation. 3. Immune suppression. 4. Hypoglycemia. -ANSWERS--3 1. Long-term corticosteroid use causes fat deposits, especially in the back, face, and trunk. 2. With the use of corticosteroids, there is adrenal suppression because the exogenous steroid causes the body to lower production of its own steroids. 3. Steroids cause immune suppression, which is the reason behind its use in JIA; it reduces the body's attack on itself. 4. Steroids cause hyperglycemia. TEST-TAKING HINT: The test taker must understand how immune system diseases work in order to know how treatments will be helpful. Consider how steroids work and their complications. Each answer listed, except the correct answer, is the opposite of the true side effects