A wound has a bloodtinged liquid that is dripping from the surgical site. How does the nurse document this finding?

Choice A reason: This is an unrealistic and unattainable goal for a client with rheumatoid arthritis. Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic and progressive inflammatory disease that causes joint pain, stiffness, swelling, and deformity. It is not possible to eliminate pain completely with this condition. The nurse should help the client set realistic and individualized goals for pain management.

Choice B reason: This is a vague and subjective goal for pain control. Pain is a personal and multidimensional experience that varies from person to person. The nurse should use a valid and reliable pain assessment tool, such as the numeric rating scale, to measure the client's pain intensity and quality. The nurse should also ask the client about their acceptable level of pain and how it affects their daily activities and quality of life.

Choice C reason: This is a good goal for general health and wellness, but it is not specific to pain control. Eating healthy meals and staying hydrated can help the client maintain their nutritional status and hydration, which are important for overall health. However, they do not directly address the pain caused by rheumatoid arthritis. The nurse should also consider other factors that can influence pain, such as stress, mood, sleep, and coping strategies.

Choice D reason: This is the best goal for pain control in a client with rheumatoid arthritis. It is realistic, measurable, and individualized. It acknowledges that some pain is inevitable with this condition, but it aims to reduce it to a tolerable level that allows the client to function and enjoy life. It also uses a numeric rating scale to quantify the pain and monitor the effectiveness of interventions.

Choice A reason: Providing the client with antipyretic therapy is not the nurse's priority. Antipyretic therapy is a treatment that lowers the body temperature and reduces fever. Fever is a common symptom of acute osteomyelitis, which is a bacterial infection of the bone and bone marrow. Antipyretic therapy may help to relieve the discomfort and inflammation caused by fever, but it does not address the underlying cause of the infection.

Choice B reason: Administering antibiotics to the client is the nurse's priority. Antibiotics are medications that kill or inhibit the growth of bacteria. Antibiotics are the main treatment for acute osteomyelitis, as they target the specific type of bacteria that is causing the infection. Antibiotics can prevent the spread of the infection to other bones or organs and reduce the risk of complications, such as chronic osteomyelitis, septic arthritis, or sepsis.

Choice C reason: Increasing the client's protein intake is not the nurse's priority. Protein intake is a nutritional factor that affects the wound healing and immune system. Protein is composed of amino acids, which are the building blocks of cells and tissues. Protein intake can enhance the repair and regeneration of the bone and the soft tissues that are damaged by the infection. Protein intake can also support the immune system's ability to fight off the infection. However, protein intake alone is not sufficient to treat acute osteomyelitis, as it does not eliminate the bacteria that are causing the infection.

Choice D reason: Teaching relaxation breathing to reduce the client's pain is not the nurse's priority. Relaxation breathing is a technique that involves deep and slow breathing that helps to relax the body and mind. Relaxation breathing can help to reduce the pain and stress that are associated with acute osteomyelitis. Pain is a common symptom of acute osteomyelitis, which is caused by the inflammation and pressure on the bone and the surrounding tissues. Relaxation breathing can help to ease the pain and improve the mood and quality of life of the client. However, relaxation breathing alone is not enough to treat acute osteomyelitis, as it does not address the source of the pain.