A nurse is assessing a client who has osteoarthritis of the right hand. Which of the following would be the preferred treatment for this client?

A. Pink, frothy sputum is typically associated with left-sided heart failure and pulmonary edema. This occurs when fluid backs up into the lungs due to left-sided heart failure. Since the question pertains to right-sided heart failure, this statement is not consistent with that condition.

B. Feeling short of breath when lying flat is known as orthopnea and is more commonly associated with left-sided heart failure. It occurs due to fluid shifting into the lungs when supine, which aggravates pulmonary congestion. This statement is not consistent with right-sided heart failure.
C. Hearing fluid in the lungs typically indicates left-sided heart failure, where fluid backs up into the pulmonary circulation, causing pulmonary edema. This symptom is associated with left-sided heart failure rather than right-sided heart failure.
D. Swelling of the legs, also known as peripheral edema, is a hallmark of right-sided heart failure. This occurs because the right side of the heart is unable to effectively pump blood out to the lungs, leading to fluid accumulation in the systemic venous circulation and resulting in swelling in the lower extremities and sometimes the abdomen

A. Prednisone is a corticosteroid used to reduce inflammation and suppress the immune system. While effective for reducing inflammation and pain, corticosteroids are generally not the first-line treatment for osteoarthritis. They are more commonly used for inflammatory arthritis conditions like rheumatoid arthritis.
B. Etanercept is a biologic agent used to treat autoimmune conditions like rheumatoid arthritis and psoriatic arthritis by targeting tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) to reduce inflammation. It is not indicated for osteoarthritis, which is a non-inflammatory degenerative joint disease rather than an autoimmune inflammatory disease.
C. Ibuprofen is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that is commonly used to manage pain and inflammation associated with osteoarthritis. NSAIDs like ibuprofen are often the first-line treatment for osteoarthritis because they help reduce pain and inflammation, improve function, and enhance the quality of life for patients. Ibuprofen is a suitable and preferred option for managing symptoms of osteoarthritis.
D. Hydroxychloroquine is an antimalarial drug that is also used to treat autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and lupus. It works by modulating the immune system and reducing inflammation. However, it is not typically used for osteoarthritis, which is not an autoimmune condition.