An adult with arthritis has been receiving treatment with naproxen and now reports ongoing stomach pain, increasing weakness, and fatigue. Which laboratory test should the nurse monitor?

Choice A: Centering attention on positive upbeat music is not a specific instruction for the nurse to include, as this is a general coping strategy that may or may not be helpful for this client. This is a distractor choice.

Choice B: Finding outlets for more social interaction is not a relevant instruction for the nurse to include, as this may not address the underlying causes of anxiety or stress for this client. This is another distractor choice.

Choice C: Practicing using muscle relaxation techniques is an appropriate instruction for the nurse to include, as this can help reduce physical tension and promote calmness and relaxation for this client. Therefore, this is the correct choice.

Choice D: Thinking about reasons the episodes occur is not a helpful instruction for the nurse to include, as this can increase rumination and anxiety for this client. This is another distractor choice.

Choice A reason: Blood pressure, heart rate, and temperature are vital signs that should be monitored in any client, but they are not laboratory results. ESRD can cause hypertension and cardiovascular complications, so blood pressure and heart rate should be controlled with medications and lifestyle modifications. Temperature should be monitored for signs of infection or inflammation.

Choice B reason: Leukocytes, neutrophils, and thyroxine are not specific laboratory results for ESRD. Leukocytes and neutrophils are types of white blood cells that indicate immune system activity and infection. Thyroxine is a thyroid hormone that regulates metabolism and growth. ESRD can affect the immune system and the thyroid function, but these are not the primary indicators of renal function.

Choice D reason: Erythrocytes, hemoglobin, and hematocrit are laboratory results that measure red blood cell count, oxygen-carrying capacity, and blood volume. ESRD can cause anemia due to reduced production of erythropoietin, a hormone that stimulates red blood cell formation in the bone marrow. Anemia can cause fatigue, pallor, shortness of breath, and chest pain. However, these are not the most significant laboratory results for ESRD.