Orthopaedic Nurses Certification Board (ONCB) Metabolic/Inflammatory/Tumors Practice Exam

Which medication is commonly prescribed for patients experiencing chronic inflammation from rheumatic fever?

1. Allopurinol

2. Hydrochlorothiazide

3. Aspirin

4. Hyaluron

The correct answer is: Aspirin

The correct choice is aspirin, as it is widely recognized for its anti-inflammatory properties, particularly in cases of chronic inflammation associated with rheumatic fever. Rheumatic fever can lead to inflammatory complications in the heart, joints, and other tissues, and aspirin is often prescribed to reduce this inflammation and alleviate pain. It works by inhibiting the production of prostaglandins, which are mediators of inflammation. Additionally, aspirin is utilized for its ability to prevent cardiovascular complications that may arise due to the inflammation caused by rheumatic fever. Its effectiveness in managing these symptoms makes it a preferred choice for this condition. In contrast, while allopurinol is primarily used for managing gout by reducing uric acid levels, hydrochlorothiazide is a diuretic used mainly for hypertension and fluid retention, and hyaluron is typically utilized in joint disorders but does not address the inflammatory process involved in rheumatic fever. Therefore, these options do not have the same relevance or application in treating chronic inflammation due to rheumatic fever as aspirin does.