A nurse is educating a client about the pharmacological management of Ankylosing Spondylitis.
Which class of medications is considered the first-line treatment to reduce inflammation and relieve pain in this condition?

Choice A rationale:

"Administering opioid pain medications as needed." Administering opioid pain medications as needed is not typically a first-line treatment for Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS).

Opioids may be reserved for severe cases or when other pain management strategies have failed.

It is not a primary nursing intervention and can have side effects and risks associated with its use.

Choice B rationale:

"Encouraging regular exercise and physical therapy." Encouraging regular exercise and physical therapy is a crucial nursing intervention for patients with AS.

Exercise and physical therapy help improve mobility, maintain joint function, and reduce pain.

Therefore, this intervention is appropriate and should be included in the care plan.

Choice C rationale:

"Providing emotional support and counseling for anxiety." Emotional support and counseling for anxiety are essential for patients with AS.

Chronic conditions like AS can have a significant emotional impact, and addressing the patient's mental health is an important nursing intervention.

Choice D rationale:

"Recommending smoking cessation as a preventive measure." Smoking cessation is a relevant nursing intervention for AS patients.

Smoking has been associated with worse outcomes in AS, and quitting smoking can be beneficial for overall health and symptom management.

Choice E rationale:

"Monitoring the patient's lung capacity and spinal curvature." Monitoring lung capacity and spinal curvature is important in the assessment and management of AS.

AS can affect the spine and lungs, and regular monitoring helps identify any complications or disease progression.

This nursing intervention is appropriate and necessary.

Choice A rationale:

Encouraging the client to avoid physical activity is not an appropriate intervention.

Physical activity and exercise, including range of motion exercises, are essential in managing Ankylosing Spondylitis.

Inactivity can worsen symptoms and lead to further stiffness.

Choice B rationale:

Recommending surgery to correct the spine's limited range of motion is not typically the first step in managing Ankylosing Spondylitis.

Surgery may be considered in severe cases with spinal deformities, but it is not the initial intervention.

Choice C rationale:

Assisting the client in performing range of motion exercises and physical therapy is an appropriate nursing intervention.

These exercises help maintain and improve flexibility, reduce pain, and slow the progression of the disease.

Physical therapy is a key component of Ankylosing Spondylitis management.

Choice D rationale:

Administering nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) as prescribed can help manage pain and inflammation in Ankylosing Spondylitis, but it is not a nursing intervention related to improving range of motion.

It is essential to combine NSAID therapy with exercise and physical therapy for optimal management of the condition.

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