A nurse is assessing a patient with suspected gout.
Which clinical manifestations should the nurse expect to find in this patient? .
"My joint pain has been gradually increasing over the past few months.”
"I have noticed that my joint is swollen, red, and warm.”
"I can move my affected joint without any limitations.”
"I have been experiencing hard lumps of uric acid crystals under my skin.”
The Correct Answer is B
Choice A rationale:
The statement, "My joint pain has been gradually increasing over the past few months," is indicative of gout, but it is not a specific clinical manifestation.
Gout typically presents with sudden and severe joint pain during acute attacks.
Choice B rationale:
"I have noticed that my joint is swollen, red, and warm" is the correct choice.
These are classic clinical manifestations of gout during an acute attack.
The accumulation of uric acid crystals in the joint causes inflammation, leading to redness, warmth, and swelling.
Choice C rationale:
"I can move my affected joint without any limitations" is not consistent with gout.
Gout attacks often limit joint mobility due to pain and inflammation.
Choice D rationale:
"I have been experiencing hard lumps of uric acid crystals under my skin" describes tophi, which are a more advanced manifestation of gout.
While tophi can occur in some cases, they are not one of the initial clinical manifestations of gout.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A rationale:
"Are you taking any medications for pain relief?" This choice is not the most appropriate in this situation.
While it is important to address the patient's pain, understanding the medications aimed at treating the underlying cause, which is high uric acid levels, is more crucial.
Pain relief medications may provide symptomatic relief but do not address the root cause of gout.
Choice B rationale:
"Are you taking any medications to lower your uric acid levels?" This is the correct choice.
Gout is primarily caused by elevated uric acid levels in the blood, leading to the formation of urate crystals in the joints.
Lowering uric acid levels is a key component of managing and preventing gout attacks.
Asking about medications that target this aspect of the condition is essential for the patient's care.
Choice C rationale:
"Are you taking any medications to treat kidney stones?" This choice is not the most appropriate in this context.
While kidney stones can be associated with gout due to the deposition of urate crystals in the kidneys, the primary concern in gout management is to control uric acid levels and prevent joint inflammation.
Kidney stone treatment may be relevant but is not the immediate focus of care.
Choice D rationale:
"Are you taking any medications to promote weight loss?" This choice is not relevant to gout management.
While weight loss can be beneficial for some patients with gout, especially if they are overweight, it is not a primary medication-based treatment for the condition.
Lowering uric acid levels and managing pain are more critical aspects of gout care.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A rationale:
"Avoid foods high in calcium." This choice is not directly related to gout management.
Calcium is not a significant factor in the development or exacerbation of gout.
Therefore, there is no need to instruct the patient to avoid foods high in calcium as a primary dietary modification for gout.
Choice B rationale:
"Avoid foods high in vitamin C." While vitamin C can be associated with gout prevention due to its potential to lower uric acid levels, it is not a primary dietary modification for reducing purine intake.
Purines are the compounds primarily responsible for uric acid production, and avoiding foods high in purines is a more effective dietary strategy.
Choice C rationale:
"Avoid foods high in purines." This is the correct choice.
Purines are broken down into uric acid, and excess uric acid can lead to gout attacks.
Therefore, advising the patient to avoid foods high in purines is a key dietary recommendation for gout management.
Choice D rationale:
"Avoid foods high in fiber." Fiber is generally considered a healthy component of the diet and is not specifically related to gout management.
There is no need to instruct the patient to avoid foods high in fiber as part of dietary modifications for gout.
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