A nurse is caring for a patient with gout who is experiencing severe joint pain and swelling.
The nurse asks the patient about their current medications.
Which statement by the nurse is most appropriate in this situation?
"Are you taking any medications for pain relief?”
"Are you taking any medications to lower your uric acid levels?”
"Are you taking any medications to treat kidney stones?”
"Are you taking any medications to promote weight loss?”
The Correct Answer is B
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.
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Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
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.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
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.
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