Question

rheumatoid arthritis is a disease that occurs when the bodys immune system starts attacking its own joint tissue. the symptoms are pain, inflammation, and swelling in the joints. orthopedists (doctors who study bones) and immunologists (doctors who study the immune system) both work with patients who have rheumatoid arthritis. what is the difference between the orthopedists and immunologists who treat the disease?

only the orthopedists examine the symptoms.
only the immunologists examine the symptoms.
the orthopedists focus on the joints, and the immunologists focus on the cause.
the immunologists focus on the joints, and the orthopedists focus on the cause.

Explanation:

1. Analyze the first two options: The text says both orthopedists and immunologists work with patients having rheumatoid arthritis, so both would examine symptoms. Thus, options saying only one examines symptoms are wrong.
2. Analyze the last two options: Orthopedists study bones (joints are part of bones), so they focus on joints. Immunologists study the immune system, and rheumatoid arthritis is caused by the immune system attacking joint tissue, so immunologists focus on the cause (immune system aspect). So the option "The orthopedists focus on the joints, and the immunologists focus on the cause" is correct.

Answer:

C. The orthopedists focus on the joints, and the immunologists focus on the cause.