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Clinical Practice
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Arthritis Types

After completing this course, nurses will be able to distinguish common arthritic and arthritis-associated conditions using symptom patterns, examination findings, laboratory data, imaging, and synovial fluid results.

A registered nurse performs a focused hand and wrist joint assessment on an adult patient in a bright outpatient examination room, observing swelling and range of motion.
Contact hours
4
Format
Self-paced, online
Last reviewed
Sep 19, 2026

$20.00or included with All-Access

$5 per contact hour · 4 contact hours

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  • No post-test required · unlimited retakes · evaluation and attestation always required

Course Purpose

After completing this course, nurses will be able to distinguish common arthritic and arthritis-associated conditions using symptom patterns, examination findings, laboratory data, imaging, and synovial fluid results.

Continuing Education Credit Designation

This educational activity is credited for 4 contact hours at completion of the activity.

Overview

After completing this course, nurses will be able to distinguish common arthritic and arthritis-associated conditions using symptom patterns, examination findings, laboratory data, imaging, and synovial fluid results. Learners will also be able to support evidence-based treatment, recognize urgent complications, monitor medication safety, and teach individualized strategies for physical activity, weight management, joint protection, and follow-up.

Objectives

Upon completion of this independent study, the learner will be able to:

  1. Differentiate osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, juvenile idiopathic arthritis, gout, fibromyalgia, and systemic lupus erythematosus using characteristic clinical findings.
  2. Perform and document a focused nursing assessment for a patient with joint pain, swelling, stiffness, or impaired function.
  3. Identify findings that require urgent evaluation, including septic arthritis, neurovascular compromise, severe medication toxicity, and major organ involvement from systemic autoimmune disease.
  4. Apply current pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic recommendations when supporting an individualized arthritis management plan.
  5. Monitor for adverse effects, contraindications, interactions, and required follow-up associated with commonly used arthritis therapies.
  6. Develop patient education that addresses physical activity, weight management, smoking cessation, flare management, joint protection, and medication adherence.

Policy Statement

This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the policies of FastCEForLess.com. This course should be used for informational purposes only and should not be used to diagnose, treat, prescribe, recommend, or initiate therapies or treatments in any setting. This course is copyrighted by Fast CE For Less, Inc. and may not be replicated, copied, or dispersed without written consent.

Disclosures

Fast CE For Less, Inc. and its authors have no disclosures. There is no commercial support.

Who this course is for:

Advanced Practice Registered Nurses, registered nurses, licensed practical or vocational nurses, and other healthcare providers in any setting who want continuing education on Arthritis Types.

Course outline

9 sections · finish in any order across devices

  1. 1

    Introduction

  2. 2

    What Is Arthritis?

  3. 3

    Types of Arthritis

  4. 4

    Gout

  5. 5

    Fibromyalgia

  6. 6

    Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

  7. 7

    Treatment Options

  8. 8

    Preventive Measures

  9. 9

    Conclusion

References

The full reference list is included inside the course, after the Conclusion.

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