Ace the 2025 Orthopaedic Nurses Certification: Master Metabolic, Inflammatory & Tumor Challenges!

Disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs, often referred to as DMARDs, play a crucial role in the treatment of inflammatory arthritis by targeting the underlying disease process to slow its progression. These medications work by modifying the immune response and reducing inflammation, which can help prevent joint damage and maintain function over the long term.

In contrast, steroids primarily serve to reduce inflammation and manage acute symptoms rather than altering the disease course. Antibiotics are typically utilized for bacterial infections and are not effective in treating inflammatory arthritis, while analgesics provide symptomatic relief from pain but do not influence disease progression. Therefore, DMARDs are specifically designed to address the chronic nature of inflammatory arthritis and improve long-term outcomes for patients. By focusing on the underlying mechanism of the disease, DMARDs are the appropriate choice for managing disease progression in these conditions.