Asked by Nwamaka Okocha on Jun 02, 2024
Verified
Mrs. Jefferson has visible deformities in the fingers on both hands, and she says her fingers hurt most of the time. The practitioner has diagnosed rheumatoid arthritis. Mrs. Jefferson confesses that she does not know much about this disorder and asks what causes it. What should the medical assistant tell her?
A) "Rheumatoid arthritis is caused by excess deposits of uric acid crystals in the finger joints."
B) "Rheumatoid arthritis is a metabolic disorder that can be treated with surgery."
C) "Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease; the body's immune system attacks the joints."
D) "Rheumatoid arthritis is generally the result of a hormone deficiency."
E) "Rheumatoid arthritis is a hereditary disease that often runs in families."
Rheumatoid Arthritis
A chronic inflammatory disorder affecting joints, causing pain, swelling, stiffness, and potentially leading to joint deformity.
Uric Acid Crystals
Crystalline formations resulting from high levels of uric acid in the blood, often associated with conditions like gout.
Autoimmune Disease
A condition in which the body's immune system mistakenly attacks its own tissues, causing inflammation and damage.
- Recognize common bone and joint diseases, their causative factors, and basic treatment principles.
Verified Answer
MC
Michael CourtneyJun 08, 2024
Final Answer :
C
Explanation :
Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease where the body's immune system mistakenly attacks its own tissues, particularly the synovium, a thin membrane that lines the joints, leading to inflammation, pain, and eventually joint deformity.
Learning Objectives
- Recognize common bone and joint diseases, their causative factors, and basic treatment principles.