A nurse is reviewing a client’s cardiac rhythm strips and notes a constant P-R interval of 0.35 seconds.
Which of the following dysrhythmias is the client displaying?

. Taking a hot shower in the morning can help decrease stiffness and improve joint mobility for people with rheumatoid arthritis. This is one of the self-management strategies that can reduce pain and disability.

Choice A is wrong because applying cold packs directly on the skin of the affected joints can cause vasoconstriction and increase inflammation.

Cold therapy should be used with caution and with a barrier between the skin and the ice pack.

Choice B is wrong because biological response modifiers are not used to prevent infection, but to reduce inflammation and slow down joint damage in rheumatoid arthritis.

These medications can actually increase the risk of infection by suppressing the immune system.

Choice D is wrong because clustering physical activities during the day can cause fatigue and joint stress for people with rheumatoid arthritis.

It is better to pace activities throughout the day and take frequent breaks to rest the joints.

Normal ranges for rheumatoid arthritis are based on the disease activity score (DAS), which measures the number of swollen and tender joints, the level of inflammation in the blood, and the patient’s global assessment of health. A DAS below 2.6 indicates remission, a DAS between 2.6 and 3.2 indicates low disease activity, a DAS between 3.2 and 5.1 indicates moderate disease activity, and a DAS above 5.1 indicates high disease activity.

A healthcare surrogate is a person who is authorized to make healthcare decisions for a client who is unable to do so. The nurse has a legal and ethical responsibility to ensure that the client’s surrogate has given informed consent for the surgery, which means that they have received adequate information about the procedure, its purpose, its risks, its benefits, and its alternatives.
Choice A is wrong because sending the unsigned informed consent form to the facility’s risk manager does not ensure that the client’s surrogate has given informed consent. The risk manager is not involved in the consent process and cannot authorize the surgery without the surrogate’s consent.
Choice B is wrong because ensuring that the client’s family supports the provider’s decision for surgery is not the same as obtaining informed consent from the surrogate.

The family may have different opinions or preferences than the surrogate, and the surrogate may not agree with the provider’s decision. The nurse should respect the surrogate’s autonomy and authority to make decisions for the client.
Choice C is wrong because determining if the procedure is medically necessary for the client is not the nurse’s role.
The provider is responsible for determining the medical necessity of the surgery and explaining it to the surrogate. The nurse should not question or interfere with the provider’s judgment unless there is evidence of negligence or malpractice.