A client with gout is concerned about the potential complications of the condition.
Which complication should the nurse prioritize when discussing potential risks with the client?

Choice A rationale:

"Administering prescribed medications." This is a correct choice.

Gout management often involves the use of medications, such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), colchicine, and urate-lowering drugs, to alleviate symptoms and reduce uric acid levels.

Choice B rationale:

"Encouraging the patient to elevate the affected joint and apply ice packs." This is a correct choice.

Elevating the affected joint and applying ice packs can help reduce pain and inflammation during a gout attack.

These measures are part of symptomatic relief strategies for gout.

Choice C rationale:

"Promoting weight gain and sedentary lifestyle." This choice is incorrect.

Promoting weight gain and a sedentary lifestyle are not appropriate interventions for managing gout.

Gout is often associated with obesity and sedentary lifestyles, and the focus should be on weight management and encouraging physical activity rather than promoting weight gain and inactivity.

Choice D rationale:

"Assisting with joint immobilization if necessary." This choice is not generally recommended for managing gout.

While immobilization may be necessary in cases of severe pain or joint damage, it is not a primary nursing intervention for gout management.

Choice E rationale:

"Providing education on increasing purine intake." This choice is incorrect.

Increasing purine intake is not a suitable strategy for managing gout.

In fact, gout management typically involves reducing purine intake to lower uric acid levels and prevent gout attacks.

Choice A rationale:

"To relieve acute pain during gout attacks" is not the primary purpose of allopurinol.

Allopurinol is used to lower uric acid levels over the long term and prevent future gout attacks, but it does not provide immediate pain relief during acute attacks.

Choice B rationale:

"To reduce inflammation and swelling in the joints" is not the primary purpose of allopurinol.

Allopurinol primarily works by inhibiting the production of uric acid, not by directly reducing inflammation.

Choice C rationale:

"To lower uric acid levels in the body" is the correct choice.

Allopurinol is a xanthine oxidase inhibitor that reduces the production of uric acid in the body, helping to maintain uric acid levels within a normal range and prevent gout attacks.

Choice D rationale:

"To improve joint mobility and range of motion" is not the primary purpose of allopurinol.

While effective management of gout can lead to improved joint function over time, allopurinol primarily addresses the underlying cause by lowering uric acid levels.