The nurse is providing medication education for a client with osteoarthritis. What teaching should the nurse include in the education?

Choice A reason: This is not the highest priority client because a urinary tract infection (UTI) is a common and treatable condition that affects the lower urinary system, such as the bladder or urethra. A fever of 38.5°C and flank pain can indicate that the infection has spread to the upper urinary system, such as the kidneys, which can cause pyelonephritis. Pyelonephritis is a serious but not lifethreatening complication that requires antibiotic therapy and hydration. The nurse should monitor the client's vital signs, urine output, and pain level and administer the prescribed medication and fluids.

Choice B reason: This is not the highest priority client because a deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a blood clot that forms in a deep vein, usually in the lower extremities. A positive Homans' sign and edema in the affected leg can indicate that the clot is causing inflammation and obstruction of the blood flow. DVT is a serious but not lifethreatening complication that requires anticoagulant therapy and compression therapy. The nurse should monitor the client's vital signs, leg circumference, and pain level and administer the prescribed medication and stockings.

Choice C reason: This is the highest priority client because a myocardial infarction (MI) is a heart attack that occurs when the blood flow to a part of the heart muscle is blocked, causing tissue damage or death. Chest pain and shortness of breath can indicate that the client is experiencing acute cardiac ischemia, which can lead to cardiac arrest or heart failure. MI is a lifethreatening emergency that requires immediate intervention and treatment. The nurse should activate the rapid response team, monitor the client's vital signs, electrocardiogram, and oxygen saturation, and administer the prescribed medication and oxygen.

Choice D reason: This is not the highest priority client because a stroke is a brain attack that occurs when the blood flow to a part of the brain is interrupted, causing tissue damage or death. Slurred speech and facial droop can indicate that the client is experiencing acute neurological impairment, which can affect their communication and facial expression. Stroke is a serious but not lifethreatening complication that requires prompt evaluation and treatment. The nurse should monitor the client's vital signs, neurological status, and glucose level and administer the prescribed medication and fluids.

Choice A reason: This is not the correct answer because opioids are a class of medications that act on the opioid receptors in the brain and spinal cord to reduce pain perception and emotional response. Opioids do not have a direct effect on tissue inflammation or bone healing, but they can cause side effects such as constipation, nausea, sedation, respiratory depression, and addiction.

Choice B reason: This is not the correct answer because anticoagulants are a class of medications that prevent or reduce the formation of blood clots by interfering with the clotting factors or platelets. Anticoagulants do not have a direct effect on tissue inflammation or bone healing, but they can increase the risk of bleeding and hematoma formation, which can impair the blood supply and oxygen delivery to the injured tissues.

Choice C reason: This is the correct answer because NSAIDs are a class of medications that inhibit the enzyme cyclooxygenase (COX), which is involved in the synthesis of prostaglandins, which are inflammatory mediators that cause pain, swelling, and fever. NSAIDs can decrease tissue inflammation and pain, but they can also delay bone healing by reducing the formation of osteoblasts, which are cells that build new bone tissue.

Choice D reason: This is not the correct answer because narcotics are another term for opioids, which are a class of medications that act on the opioid receptors in the brain and spinal cord to reduce pain perception and emotional response. Narcotics do not have a direct effect on tissue inflammation or bone healing, but they can cause side effects such as constipation, nausea, sedation, respiratory depression, and addiction.