American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN) Certification Practice Test

For what condition is colchicine primarily prescribed?

1. Chronic pain

2. Acute gout attacks

3. Hypertension

4. Deep vein thrombosis

The correct answer is: Acute gout attacks

Colchicine is primarily prescribed for the management of acute gout attacks. Gout is a form of inflammatory arthritis characterized by the accumulation of uric acid crystals in the joints, leading to sudden and severe pain, swelling, and redness. Colchicine works by reducing inflammation associated with these gout attacks and can help alleviate the intense pain and discomfort that patients experience during an episode. When a gout attack occurs, the rapid action of colchicine provides patients with relief by interfering with the inflammatory process, specifically by inhibiting the migration and activation of neutrophils, which are key players in the inflammatory response. Given its mechanism of action and efficacy in treating acute symptoms of gout, colchicine has become a standard treatment option for managing flare-ups effectively. Other conditions mentioned in the alternatives do not correlate with the primary use of colchicine. Chronic pain is a broad category that may require other treatments, hypertension typically involves antihypertensive medications, and deep vein thrombosis is generally treated with anticoagulants rather than colchicine. This distinction emphasizes colchicine's specific role in the context of gout management.