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

Choice A reason: Inspecting the client's skin is the nurse's priority, because it is the most urgent and relevant action. Inspecting the client's skin can help identify any signs of infection, injury, or infestation, such as wounds, rashes, ulcers, or lice. The client's skin may be compromised by the lack of hygiene, exposure to the elements, or poor nutrition. The client's skin may also be a source of transmission of pathogens to other clients or staff. Therefore, inspecting the client's skin is essential for the assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of the client's condition.

Choice B reason: Providing a towel and showing the client to the shower is not the nurse's priority, because it is not the most urgent and relevant action. Providing a towel and showing the client to the shower is an important intervention, but it should be done after inspecting the client's skin and ensuring the safety and infection prevention of the client and others. The client may have wounds, rashes, or ulcers that need to be cleaned, dressed, or treated before bathing. The client may also have lice or scabies that need to be isolated and treated with special shampoos or creams before bathing. The client may also need assistance or supervision during bathing, depending on the client's physical and mental status.

Choice C reason: Asking if the client has been to a homeless shelter recently is not the nurse's priority, because it is not the most urgent and relevant action. Asking if the client has been to a homeless shelter recently is an important question, but it should be done after inspecting the client's skin and providing a towel and showing the client to the shower. The client's history of homelessness and shelter use may provide some information about the client's social and environmental factors, such as exposure to violence, abuse, or disease, or access to resources, services, or support. However, this information is not as critical as the client's skin condition, which may require immediate attention and care.

Choice D reason: Calling a social worker is not the nurse's priority, because it is not the most urgent and relevant action. Calling a social worker is an important referral, but it should be done after inspecting the client's skin, providing a towel and showing the client to the shower, and asking if the client has been to a homeless shelter recently. The social worker can help the client with the psychosocial and practical aspects of homelessness, such as finding a shelter, applying for benefits, accessing health care, or addressing mental health or substance abuse issues. However, this referral is not as urgent as the client's skin condition, which may require immediate attention and care.

Choice A reason: Popping bursae from standing is not the cause of the grating sound. Bursae are fluidfilled sacs that cushion the joints and reduce friction. Popping bursae may produce a snapping or clicking sound, but not a grating sound.

Choice B reason: A herniated disk in the diseased joint is not the cause of the grating sound. A herniated disk is a condition where the soft inner part of the intervertebral disk bulges out through a tear in the outer layer. A herniated disk may cause pain, numbness, or weakness, but not a grating sound.

Choice C reason: Pieces of bone and cartilage floating is the cause of the grating sound. Osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disease that causes the breakdown of the cartilage and bone in the joints. Pieces of bone and cartilage may detach and float in the joint space, causing a grating sound when the joint moves.

Choice D reason: Years of an autoimmune process is not the cause of the grating sound. An autoimmune process is a condition where the immune system attacks the body's own tissues. An autoimmune process may cause inflammation, swelling, or damage to the joints, but not a grating sound.