Certified Wound Ostomy Nurse (CWON) Practice Test

What joint issue is commonly associated with vasculitic ulcers?

1. Stiffness in the knee

2. Joint pain

3. Swelling of the ankle

4. Arthritis in the wrist

The correct answer is: Joint pain

Vasculitic ulcers are skin lesions that occur due to inflammation and damage to blood vessels, often seen in conditions like vasculitis. Joint pain is commonly associated with vasculitic conditions, as these diseases often involve systemic inflammation that can affect multiple organ systems, including the joints. Inflammation in the blood vessels can lead to ischemia and tissue damage, which can manifest as pain in the joints. Pain may occur due to the inflammatory process itself or as a result of changes in blood flow and tissue perfusion. While stiffness, swelling, and arthritis may occur in various joint conditions, they are not as typically linked to the broad systemic nature or the direct effects of vasculitis as joint pain is. Therefore, recognizing joint pain as a prominent symptom connected to the underlying inflammatory process helps in understanding the clinical manifestations of vasculitic ulcers.