While assessing a client with degenerative joint disease, the nurse observes Heberden's nodes, large prominences on the client's fingers that are reddened. The client reports that the nodes are painful. Which action should the nurse take?

Discuss approaches to chronic pain control with the client.

Review the client's dietary intake of high-protein foods.

Notify the healthcare provider of the finding immediately.

Assess the client's radial pulses and capillary refill time.

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is A

A. Discuss approaches to chronic pain control with the client:
This is the correct answer. Heberden's nodes are bony enlargements that can occur in osteoarthritis, particularly in the joints of the fingers. These nodes can be associated with pain. Discussing approaches to chronic pain control with the client is an appropriate nursing intervention to address the client's pain and improve quality of life.

B. Review the client's dietary intake of high-protein foods:
Dietary intake of high-protein foods is not directly related to the management of Heberden's nodes in degenerative joint disease. Pain control and joint protection measures are more relevant.

C. Notify the healthcare provider of the finding immediately:
While it's important to communicate significant findings to the healthcare provider, the presence of Heberden's nodes in degenerative joint disease may not require immediate notification unless there are other concerning symptoms or complications.

D. Assess the client's radial pulses and capillary refill time:
Assessing radial pulses and capillary refill time is not directly related to managing Heberden's nodes in degenerative joint disease. These nodes are primarily a result of joint changes in osteoarthritis.

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Correct Answer is D

Explanation

A. Hyperaldosteronism causing an increased sodium reabsorption in renal tubules.
Hyperaldosteronism is characterized by an excess of aldosterone, a hormone that regulates sodium and water balance. In cirrhosis, however, sodium retention is often related to other mechanisms such as portal hypertension and hypoalbuminemia, rather than hyperaldosteronism.

B. Decreased renin-angiotensin response related to an increase in renal blood flow.
Cirrhosis is more commonly associated with an activated renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system, leading to increased sodium and water retention. The increased renin-angiotensin response is a compensatory mechanism to maintain perfusion in the setting of cirrhosis and does not contribute to decreased renal blood flow.

C. Decreased portacaval pressure with greater collateral circulation.
This statement is not accurate. In cirrhosis, there is typically increased portacaval pressure due to portal hypertension, which can lead to the development of collateral circulation. However, this does not explain the edema and ascites seen in cirrhosis.

D. Hypoalbuminemia that results in a decreased colloidal oncotic pressure.
This is the correct choice. In cirrhosis, liver damage leads to decreased synthesis of albumin. Albumin plays a crucial role in maintaining colloidal oncotic pressure, and when it is decreased (hypoalbuminemia), fluid is more likely to leak out of blood vessels, resulting in edema. The same mechanism contributes to the development of ascites in the abdominal cavity.

A. Blood pH level. B. Platelet count. C. Hematocrit D. White blood cell (WBC) count.

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

A. Blood pH level:
The blood pH level is important for assessing the acid-base balance in the body. However, in the context of purulent drainage from a wound, it is not the primary laboratory value to review for signs of infection.

B. Platelet count:
Platelet count is important for assessing blood clotting ability. While it is a valuable parameter in overall care, it may not be directly related to the observation of purulent drainage from a wound, which typically suggests infection rather than a clotting issue.

C. Hematocrit:
Hematocrit measures the proportion of blood that is cellular. Like platelet count, it is important for assessing overall blood composition and oxygen-carrying capacity. However, it may not be the first parameter to review when evaluating signs of infection.

D. White blood cell (WBC) count:
The WBC count is a crucial parameter when assessing for infection. An elevated WBC count is a common response to infection as the body mobilizes its immune defenses. Reviewing the WBC count is particularly relevant when purulent drainage is observed, as it may indicate an inflammatory response to infection.

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While assessing a client with degenerative joint disease, the nurse observes Heberden's nodes, large prominences on the client's fingers that are reddened. The client reports that the nodes are painful. Which action should the nurse take?

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