The client with rheumatoid arthritis is having her rheumatoid factor (RF) drawn while she is having a flareup of the disease. Which result is seen in clients with rheumatoid arthritis?

Choice A reason: Creating a susceptible host is not a way to break the chain of infection, but rather a way to facilitate it. A susceptible host is someone who is vulnerable to infection due to factors such as age, immunocompromised status, or chronic diseases.

Choice B reason: Maintaining the integrity of a portal of entry is a way to break the chain of infection, because it prevents the entry of microorganisms into the body. A portal of entry is any place where microorganisms can enter the body, such as the skin, mucous membranes, or respiratory tract. By reducing skin breakdown, the nurse is protecting the skin from becoming a portal of entry for infection.

Choice C reason: Creating a reservoir to decrease the risk of infection is a contradiction, because a reservoir is a place where microorganisms can multiply and survive, such as a human, animal, or environment. A reservoir increases the risk of infection, not decreases it.

Choice D reason: Sterilizing the area to reduce the reservoir risk is a way to break the chain of infection, but it is not related to reducing skin breakdown. Sterilizing the area means killing or removing all microorganisms from a surface or object, such as a surgical instrument or a wound dressing. This can reduce the reservoir risk, but it does not affect the integrity of the skin as a portal of entry.

Choice A reason: Removing the nursing diagnosis in the plan of care since it has not occurred is not a good action, because it does not account for the possibility of future impairment. The client is still at risk for impaired skin integrity due to the prolonged bed rest, and the nurse should continue to monitor and prevent any skin breakdown.

Choice B reason: Keeping the nursing diagnosis in the plan of care the same since the risk factors are still present is the best action, because it reflects the current situation and the potential problem. The client has not developed impaired skin integrity, but the risk factors have not changed. The nurse should maintain the interventions that have been effective in preventing skin impairment, such as turning, repositioning, moisturizing, and inspecting the skin.

Choice C reason: Modifying the nursing diagnosis in the plan of care to impaired skin integrity is not a good action, because it does not match the data. The client has not shown any signs of impaired skin integrity, such as redness, blanching, breakdown, or ulceration. The nurse should not change the diagnosis based on assumptions or predictions, but on evidence.

Choice D reason: Changing the nursing diagnosis in the plan of care to impaired mobility is not a good action, because it does not address the original problem. The client may have impaired mobility due to the bed rest, but that is not the focus of the question. The question is about the risk for impaired skin integrity, which is a different issue that requires different interventions. The nurse should not ignore or replace the existing diagnosis without justification.