A 55-year-old female patient with rheumatoid arthritis reports increasing fatigue and difficulty performing daily activities. Which nursing intervention should be prioritized to effectively address her fatigue and enhance her quality of life?
Advise the patient to avoid all physical activities to prevent joint discomfort.
Encourage the patient to rest for long periods without activity.
Recommend engaging in regular, moderate exercise to improve joint function and reduce fatigue.
Suggest the patient increase her caloric intake significantly to combat fatigue.
The Correct Answer is C
Rationale:
A. Complete avoidance of activity can lead to muscle atrophy, joint stiffness, decreased endurance, and worsening fatigue. While rest is important during flare-ups, total inactivity is detrimental to overall function and quality of life.
B. Extended rest alone does not address fatigue or loss of joint mobility. Excessive inactivity can contribute to deconditioning, increased stiffness, and diminished independence.
C. Moderate, low-impact exercise such as walking, swimming, or gentle range-of-motion exercises has been shown to reduce fatigue, improve muscle strength, enhance joint mobility, and increase energy levels in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. This intervention supports independence in daily activities and overall quality of life. Exercise should be tailored to the patient’s tolerance and combined with periods of rest during flare-ups.
D. While proper nutrition is important, increasing caloric intake alone will not reduce fatigue or improve joint function. Focus should be on a balanced diet that supports overall health, rather than excessive calories, which could lead to weight gain and additional joint stress.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Rationale:
A. The patient is exhibiting acute hypocalcemia with neuromuscular irritability (tingling, muscle spasms, positive Chvostek/Trousseau signs) and cardiac manifestations (prolonged QT interval), which can lead to life-threatening arrhythmias. IV calcium gluconate provides rapid correction of serum calcium, making it the priority intervention in an emergency setting.
B. Magnesium may be needed if hypomagnesemia is present because it can contribute to hypocalcemia, but the immediate life-threatening issue is low calcium, not magnesium deficiency. Administering magnesium alone does not correct the urgent hypocalcemia.
C. Oral calcium is used for long-term management of hypocalcemia in hypoparathyroidism. In an acute, symptomatic emergency with cardiac involvement, oral calcium is too slow to correct the deficit and is not appropriate as the first-line intervention.
D. Thyroid function is not the acute concern in this scenario. While hypoparathyroidism may be related to thyroid or parathyroid surgery, immediate management of symptomatic hypocalcemia is the priority over diagnostic testing.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Rationale:
A. These are common side effects of opioid use, not withdrawal. During withdrawal, gastrointestinal motility increases and alertness rises, leading to diarrhea, insomnia, and agitation rather than constipation and drowsiness.
B. While mild autonomic changes can occur, hypotension is not a hallmark of opioid withdrawal. Hyperactivity may be present in terms of restlessness, but this option does not capture the key constellation of withdrawal symptoms.
C. These are classic opioid withdrawal symptoms. Rhinitis (runny nose), yawning, lacrimation, abdominal cramping, diarrhea, restlessness, and agitation are signs of the sympathetic nervous system overactivity that occurs when opioids are abruptly discontinued or doses are missed. These symptoms guide nursing monitoring and support.
D. These are common effects of opioid overdose, not withdrawal. Withdrawal typically causes tachycardia, hypertension, and increased respiratory rate, reflecting sympathetic activation
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