A nurse is caring for a patient with rheumatoid arthritis. The patient is prescribed hydroxychloroquine to slow the progression of the disease. Which of the following laboratory results should the nurse monitor for this patient?

Choice A:
Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition characterized by widespread musculoskeletal pain, fatigue, sleep disturbances, and cognitive difficulties. Activity intolerance is a common symptom, resulting in patients experiencing increased fatigue, pain, and decreased function with exertion.
A program of regular mild to moderate exercise is considered the cornerstone of management for fibromyalgia. Exercise improves physical fitness, reduces pain intensity, and enhances sleep quality. It also decreases fatigue and depression, and improves overall well-being and quality of life. The key is to start with low-impact activities, gradually increase intensity and duration over time, and listen to the body's signals to avoid overexertion.
Here's how exercise benefits patients with fibromyalgia:
Pain reduction: Exercise releases endorphins, natural pain-relieving chemicals in the brain. It also strengthens muscles and improves joint flexibility, leading to decreased pain intensity and frequency.
Improved physical fitness: Regular exercise increases cardiovascular health, muscle strength, and endurance, allowing patients to tolerate activity better and perform daily tasks with less fatigue.
Enhanced sleep quality: Exercise can regulate sleep patterns, promoting deeper sleep and reducing nighttime pain, leading to improved energy levels and mood throughout the day.
Reduced fatigue and depression: Exercise triggers the release of mood-boosting neurotransmitters, like serotonin and dopamine, which can help alleviate symptoms of depression and fatigue commonly associated with fibromyalgia.
Improved overall well-being: Regular physical activity enhances self-efficacy, reduces stress, and promotes social interaction, contributing to a better quality of life for patients with fibromyalgia.
Therefore, a program of regular mild to moderate exercise is the most effective recommendation for patients with fibromyalgia to address activity intolerance and improve their overall well-being.
Rationale for other choices:

Choice B: While daily meditation and guided imagery can be helpful for managing stress and improving sleep in fibromyalgia, they are not as effective as exercise in directly addressing activity intolerance and improving physical fitness and function.

Choice C: Referral to physical therapy for an assistive device may be necessary in some cases with severe limitations, but it is not the first-line intervention for addressing activity intolerance in most patients with fibromyalgia. Exercise should be the initial focus, with assistive devices considered later if needed.

Choice D: NSAID medications can offer temporary pain relief, but they do not address the underlying cause of activity intolerance in fibromyalgia and can have side effects like gastritis and kidney problems. NSAIDs should be used cautiously and only as a complementary therapy alongside exercise in managing fibromyalgia symptoms.
Remember, a tailored exercise program, starting with low-impact activities and gradually increasing intensity, is the key to managing activity intolerance and improving function in patients with fibromyalgia.

Choice A rationale:
Hydroxychloroquine can cause a rare but serious side effect called bone marrow suppression. This is a decrease in the production of blood cells in the bone marrow.
White blood cells (WBCs) are a key component of the immune system, and a decrease in WBCs can make a patient more susceptible to infections.
Therefore, it's crucial for nurses to monitor the patient's WBC count to detect any potential bone marrow suppression early and take necessary actions to prevent or manage infections.
Choice B rationale:
An increased blood cell count is not a typical side effect of hydroxychloroquine.
Some conditions, like polycythemia vera, can cause an increase in blood cell count, but they are not related to hydroxychloroquine use.

Choice C rationale:
While hydroxychloroquine can sometimes cause a decrease in platelet count, it's less common than bone marrow suppression affecting WBCs.
However, it's still essential for nurses to monitor platelet counts as well, as a significantly low platelet count can impair blood clotting and increase the risk of bleeding.
Choice D rationale:
Hydroxychloroquine does not typically affect red blood cell (RBC) counts.
Conditions that affect RBC counts, such as anemia, are not directly related to hydroxychloroquine use.