The nurse is caring for a client with a history of rheumatoid arthritis who reports morning stiffness. Which intervention should the nurse include?

Choice A reason: Assisting with mobility and safety is critical in multiple sclerosis, as muscle weakness and spasticity increase fall risk. Physical therapy and assistive devices enhance safety, reducing injury risk, making it the priority intervention to maintain independence and prevent complications like fractures.

Choice B reason: A high-sodium diet is inappropriate, as it may exacerbate fluid retention, unrelated to multiple sclerosis. Mobility assistance is the priority, as falls are a significant risk due to neurological deficits, making dietary sodium irrelevant to primary symptom management.

Choice C reason: Restricting physical therapy worsens mobility and spasticity in multiple sclerosis. Assisting with mobility and safety is critical, as it prevents falls and maintains function, making therapy restriction counterproductive, as exercise supports neurological health and independence.

Choice D reason: Promoting bed rest increases muscle atrophy and spasticity in multiple sclerosis. Mobility and safety measures are essential, as they reduce fall risk and maintain function, making bed rest detrimental to managing neurological symptoms and overall patient well-being.

Choice A reason: Chest x-ray may show nonspecific findings in pulmonary embolism but is not diagnostic. D-dimer, a fibrin degradation product, is highly sensitive for detecting thrombosis, guiding further imaging like CT pulmonary angiography, making it the priority test in suspected cases.

Choice B reason: Electrocardiogram may show tachycardia or right heart strain in pulmonary embolism but is nonspecific. D-dimer is a sensitive screening test, indicating clot presence, which prompts definitive imaging, making it the preferred initial diagnostic step in suspected pulmonary embolism.

Choice C reason: D-dimer blood test is the most sensitive screening tool for pulmonary embolism, detecting fibrin degradation from clots. Elevated levels prompt CT pulmonary angiography for confirmation, guiding urgent treatment to prevent further embolization, making it the critical test to anticipate.

Choice D reason: Arterial blood gas may reveal hypoxemia in pulmonary embolism but is nonspecific, as other conditions cause similar findings. D-dimer is more diagnostic, identifying clot presence, guiding imaging, and ensuring timely intervention, making it the priority test in suspected cases.