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

What is the drug of choice for treating polymyalgia rheumatica?

1. Disease-modifying agent

2. Corticosteroid

3. Antimalarial agent

4. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAIDs)

The correct answer is: Corticosteroid

Polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) is an inflammatory disorder characterized by muscle pain and stiffness, typically in the shoulders and hips. The primary treatment for PMR involves the use of corticosteroids, which are effective in quickly alleviating the symptoms. Corticosteroids work by significantly reducing inflammation, thereby providing rapid relief of pain and improvement in mobility. Corticosteroids are particularly beneficial in PMR due to the condition's underlying inflammatory nature. When initiated, corticosteroids usually lead to a significant and swift clinical improvement, which is a hallmark of PMR treatment. Other treatments, while they may play a role in overall management, do not address the acute inflammatory response as effectively as corticosteroids do. For instance, disease-modifying agents are generally more suited for chronic autoimmune conditions rather than for the immediate treatment required in PMR. Therefore, selecting corticosteroids as the drug of choice aligns with established treatment protocols for PMR, emphasizing their role in controlling inflammation and providing symptom relief.