A patient is admitted with an open fracture of the tibia after a bicycle accident. What information would the nurse obtain when assessing the patient?

priority. Protein aids long-term recovery by promoting bone healing, but infection control is critical to prevent systemic spread or bone necrosis. Nutritional support is secondary to addressing the acute bacterial infection driving the condition.

Choice B reason: Administering antibiotics is the priority in acute osteomyelitis, a bacterial bone infection (often Staphylococcus aureus). Prompt antibiotics target the infection, preventing sepsis, abscess formation, or chronic osteomyelitis. Delaying treatment risks bone destruction and systemic complications, making timely antibiotic administration essential to control the infection and preserve bone integrity.

Choice C reason: Teaching relaxation breathing reduces pain perception by calming the nervous system but does not address the underlying infection in osteomyelitis. Pain management is important but secondary to antibiotics, which target the bacterial cause. Without infection control, pain will persist, and complications like bone damage may worsen.

Choice D reason: Providing antipyretic therapy manages fever, a symptom of osteomyelitis, but does not treat the infection itself. Fever reflects the body’s immune response to bacteria, and while comfort is important, antibiotics are the priority to eradicate the pathogen, preventing progression to sepsis or chronic bone infection.

Choice A reason: Probenecid increases uric acid excretion by inhibiting renal reabsorption, used for chronic gout prevention, not acute attacks. It is ineffective for rapid symptom relief, as it does not address inflammation or pain directly. During an acute attack, uricosurics may even worsen symptoms by mobilizing uric acid, making this inappropriate.

Choice B reason: Ibuprofen, an NSAID, reduces inflammation and pain in acute gout but is not specific to gout’s pathophysiology. It provides symptomatic relief but does not target uric acid crystal-induced inflammation as effectively as colchicine. It is often used adjunctively, not as the primary treatment for an acute gout attack.

Choice C reason: Hydrocortisone, a corticosteroid, may be used for gout when NSAIDs or colchicine are contraindicated, reducing inflammation. However, it is not the first-line choice due to systemic side effects like immunosuppression. Colchicine is preferred for its specificity in targeting neutrophil-mediated inflammation in acute gouty arthritis.

Choice D reason: Colchicine is the primary medication for acute gout, inhibiting microtubule polymerization and neutrophil migration, reducing uric acid crystal-induced inflammation. Administered early, it relieves pain and swelling effectively. Its specificity for gout’s pathophysiology makes it the anticipated choice for both preventing and treating acute attacks, minimizing joint damage.