The nurse examines a client's right great toe. The joint is red, edematous, and very painful with limited range of motion. The client's serum uric acid levels are elevated. Which action should the nurse tell the client to make?
Splint the affected joint.
Encourage fluid intake.
Increase Intake of red meat.
Measure urine output.
The Correct Answer is B
Choice A Reason:
Splint the affected joint is inappropriate action. While splinting may help stabilize the joint and reduce movement, it may not directly address the underlying cause of the symptoms, which is9levated uric acid levels leading to gout. Additionally, splinting may further restrict range of motion and exacerbate discomfort.
Choice B Reason:
Encouraging fluid intake is appropriate action. Encouraging fluid intake, particularly water, is beneficial for individuals experiencing a gout flare-up. Adequate hydration helps to dilute uric acid in the bloodstream and promote its excretion through urine, which can help alleviate symptoms and prevent further flare-ups. Therefore, option B is the most appropriate action for the nurse to advise the client in this situation.
Choice C Reason:
Increasing intake of red meat is inappropriate action. Red meat is high in purines, which can contribute to elevated uric acid levels and increase the risk of gout flare-ups. Therefore, increasing intake of red meat would not be advisable for someone experiencing gout symptoms. In fact, dietary modifications often involve reducing intake of purine-rich foods like red meat to help manage gout.
Choice D Reason:
Measuring urine output is inappropriate action. While monitoring urine output is important for overall hydration status, it may not be the most immediate or relevant action in this situation. The priority in managing a gout flare-up is to address the underlying cause by promoting uric acid excretion through adequate hydration, rather than solely focusing on measuring urine output.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A Reason:
Ask about recent abdominal trauma: in this case, the depressed umbilicus is a normal finding, so no further action related to trauma assessment is necessary.
Choice B Reason:
Palpate the area for masses: Palpating the area for masses is a good practice during abdominal assessments. However, in the context of a depressed umbilicus, this finding is not indicative of an abnormal mass. Therefore, palpation is not specifically warranted.
Choice C Reason:
Document the normal finding: Correct! A depressed umbilicus that lies below the surface of the abdomen is considered a normal variation. Documenting this finding ensures accurate and comprehensive assessment documentation.
Choice D Reason:
Observe the midline for scarring: While observing the midline for scarring is relevant in some situations (such as assessing for surgical scars), it’s not directly related to the depressed umbilicus. Therefore, this action is not necessary based on the specific finding described.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A Reason:
History of a fractured patella is incorrect. While a history of a fractured patella may lead to some degree of crepitation in the knee joint, especially if there was damage to the articular surfaces during the injury, it is less likely to cause widespread crepitation with joint movement. Crepitation associated with a fractured patella would typically be localized to the site of injury rather than throughout the joint.
Choice B Reason:
Knee arthroplasty surgery is incorrect. Knee arthroplasty surgery involves the replacement of a damaged knee joint with an artificial prosthesis. While crepitation can occur in some cases following knee arthroplasty, it is less likely to be the cause of crepitation observed in this scenario, especially if the client's knee arthroplasty was successful and without complications.
Choice C Reason:
Degenerative disease is correct. Degenerative disease of the knee joint, such as osteoarthritis, is a common cause of crepitation during joint movement. Osteoarthritis is characterized by the breakdown of cartilage in the joints, leading to friction between bones and resulting in crepitus. This condition is often associated with aging, repetitive stress on the joints, or underlying joint abnormalities.
Choice D Reason:
Needle aspiration of the synovial space is incorrect. Needle aspiration of the synovial space is a procedure performed to remove excess fluid or to obtain a sample of synovial fluid for diagnostic purposes. While this procedure may be performed for various reasons, it is not directly associated with crepitation in the knee joint.
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