Which finding would indicate an acceptable response to DMARD therapy?

Which finding would indicate an acceptable response to DMARD therapy?

• A. Symptom control during periods of emotional stress
• B. Normal white blood cell, platelet, and neutrophil counts
• C. Radiological nonprogression of joint degeneration
• D. Increased range of motion in the affected joints after 3 months

Answer: (B)

DMARDs require regular laboratory monitoring because they can suppress bone marrow. A normal white blood cell count, normal platelets, and a normal neutrophil count indicate there’s no hematologic toxicity from the therapy, meaning the drug is tolerated safety-wise and can be continued. Other options don’t reliably reflect safe continuation in the early phase: symptom control can occur for reasons unrelated to the drug’s effect, radiographic changes often take longer to appear and don’t reflect short-term safety, and increases in range of motion after a few months can vary and isn’t a consistent early safety signal.

DMARDs require regular laboratory monitoring because they can suppress bone marrow. A normal white blood cell count, normal platelets, and a normal neutrophil count indicate there’s no hematologic toxicity from the therapy, meaning the drug is tolerated safety-wise and can be continued.

Other options don’t reliably reflect safe continuation in the early phase: symptom control can occur for reasons unrelated to the drug’s effect, radiographic changes often take longer to appear and don’t reflect short-term safety, and increases in range of motion after a few months can vary and isn’t a consistent early safety signal.