A nurse is assisting in the care of a newly admitted client.

Which of the following findings should the nurse report immediately to the provider? Select all that apply

The client reports joint pain in the knee and wrist with a history of gout in the family. The elevated uric acid level (7.2 mg/dL) supports a diagnosis of gout, a condition caused by uric acid crystal deposition in the joints. The negative ANA and normal ESR make inflammatory autoimmune conditions like rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus unlikely.

Actions to Take:

Instruct the client to avoid foods high in purines.

Purine-rich foods (e.g., red meat, shellfish, organ meats) contribute to increased uric acid production, exacerbating gout symptoms. Dietary modifications can help reduce flare-ups and long-term complications.

Instruct the client to apply topical analgesics.

Topical analgesics can provide localized pain relief and reduce discomfort in affected joints. They serve as an adjunct to systemic medications in managing acute symptoms.

Parameters to Monitor:

Uric acid levels.

Monitoring uric acid levels helps assess the effectiveness of dietary changes and medications in preventing flare-ups and reducing joint damage.

Joint deformities.

Chronic gout can lead to joint destruction and tophi formation, so assessing for deformities helps track disease progression and the need for further interventions.

A) "My husband won't need medication for breakthrough pain while using music therapy."
This statement is incorrect. While music therapy can help reduce pain perception and provide comfort, it is not a replacement for medications, especially for breakthrough pain. Breakthrough pain may still occur, and medications are often needed to manage it. Music therapy can complement the use of pain medications, but it does not eliminate the need for them.

B) "Playing music will increase my husband's alertness."
This statement is not accurate. Music therapy may enhance relaxation, reduce anxiety, and help manage pain, but it is not generally used to increase alertness in terminally ill patients. In fact, some music therapy techniques may be calming and soothing, which could encourage rest rather than increasing alertness.

C) "I will discontinue music therapy when my husband is no longer responsive."
This statement is incorrect. Music therapy can still be beneficial even if the client becomes less responsive. In hospice care, music therapy is often used to provide comfort, promote relaxation, and offer emotional support, even for clients who are less alert or responsive. Discontinuing therapy may deprive the client of a source of comfort.

D) "Music will distract my husband's awareness of the pain."
This statement is correct. Music therapy can serve as a distraction and help reduce the client's perception of pain by focusing their attention away from discomfort. It can promote relaxation, reduce anxiety, and alter the client's awareness of their pain, making it an effective complementary treatment for pain management in hospice care.