A nurse is caring for a client who has a WBC count of 22,000. The nurse should conclude that the client has which of the following?

A. This is primarily associated with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE), not Rheumatoid Arthritis. While some RA patients may have skin changes, a malar rash is not a typical manifestation of RA.
B. Morning stiffness is a hallmark symptom of Rheumatoid Arthritis. Patients often experience stiffness in their joints after periods of inactivity, particularly in the morning, which typically lasts for at least 30 minutes and can improve with movement.
C. Swan neck deformities are specific joint deformities seen in RA, where there is hyperextension of the proximal interphalangeal joints and flexion of the distal interphalangeal joints. This is a common feature in advanced cases of RA.
D. : RA typically presents with symmetrical joint involvement. This means that if one side is affected, the opposite side is likely to be similarly affected, leading to bilateral joint deformities.
E. While joint pain can occur at rest, RA is more characterized by pain and stiffness during periods of inactivity and improvement with movement. However, as the disease progresses, patients may experience pain even at rest.

A. This statement is not typically related to rheumatoid arthritis. RA does not cause low blood sugar directly. While medications or other conditions might affect blood sugar levels, this is not a common symptom or concern specific to RA.
B. Morning stiffness is a hallmark symptom of rheumatoid arthritis. Patients often report increased stiffness and discomfort in their joints upon waking, which can improve with activity throughout the day.
C. While some individuals might gain weight due to reduced physical activity or medication side effects (like corticosteroids), weight loss is also common due to pain and decreased mobility. Thus, this statement is not universally applicable.
D. Abdominal pain is not a primary symptom of RA. However, certain medications used to treat RA, like nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), can cause gastrointestinal discomfort, but this is not a direct result of the disease itself.