A nurse is providing education to a client newly diagnosed with gout.
Which statement by the nurse accurately describes the pathophysiology of gout?

"Gout is typically treated with antibiotics." This statement is incorrect.

Gout is not caused by bacteria, so antibiotics are not the primary treatment.

Antibiotics are used to treat bacterial infections, not gout.

Choice B rationale:

"Surgical intervention is necessary to remove uric acid crystals." Surgical intervention is not the primary treatment for gout.

Medications and lifestyle modifications are the mainstays of gout management.

Surgery may be considered in rare cases with severe joint damage or when other treatments are ineffective, but it is not the first-line approach.

Choice D rationale:

"Physical therapy is the primary treatment for g gout." Physical therapy can be a helpful adjunctive therapy for gout patients, especially in managing joint function and mobility, but it is not the primary treatment.

Medications to lower uric acid levels and manage pain are the cornerstone of gout treatment.

Choice A rationale:

"Administering prescribed medications." This is a correct choice.

Gout management often involves the use of medications, such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), colchicine, and urate-lowering drugs, to alleviate symptoms and reduce uric acid levels.

Choice B rationale:

"Encouraging the patient to elevate the affected joint and apply ice packs." This is a correct choice.

Elevating the affected joint and applying ice packs can help reduce pain and inflammation during a gout attack.

These measures are part of symptomatic relief strategies for gout.

Choice C rationale:

"Promoting weight gain and sedentary lifestyle." This choice is incorrect.

Promoting weight gain and a sedentary lifestyle are not appropriate interventions for managing gout.

Gout is often associated with obesity and sedentary lifestyles, and the focus should be on weight management and encouraging physical activity rather than promoting weight gain and inactivity.

Choice D rationale:

"Assisting with joint immobilization if necessary." This choice is not generally recommended for managing gout.

While immobilization may be necessary in cases of severe pain or joint damage, it is not a primary nursing intervention for gout management.

Choice E rationale:

"Providing education on increasing purine intake." This choice is incorrect.

Increasing purine intake is not a suitable strategy for managing gout.

In fact, gout management typically involves reducing purine intake to lower uric acid levels and prevent gout attacks.