The nurse assists with care of a confused patient who presents to the emergency department with stroke symptoms. Vital signs are blood pressure 174/100 mm Hg. pulse 64 beats per minute, and SpO2 88% on room air. Which nursing intervention is priority?

A. Provide names of support groups: While support groups can offer emotional and educational support, they do not address the immediate financial barrier to obtaining necessary medications.
B. Schedule an annual physical examination: Regular check-ups are important, but they do not directly address the issue of medication affordability and access to care.
C. Refer the patient to a free clinic: Free clinics often provide low-cost or no-cost medications and healthcare services, which can help the patient access the necessary treatments and follow-up care.
D. Refer the patient for financial assistance: Financial assistance programs can be helpful, but they might take time to apply and be approved. Immediate referral to a free clinic can provide more immediate support.

A. Heberden nodes: These are bony swellings commonly seen in osteoarthritis, particularly affecting the distal interphalangeal joints of the fingers, not typically associated with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
B. Early morning stiffness: RA is characterized by prolonged morning stiffness lasting more than 30 minutes, which improves with activity, distinguishing it from the short-lived stiffness seen in osteoarthritis.
C. Pain increasing by activity: This is more characteristic of osteoarthritis, where joint pain typically worsens with use and activity. RA pain often improves with movement as the joints "warm up."
D. Autoimmune disease: RA is an autoimmune condition where the body's immune system attacks its own tissues, leading to inflammation and joint damage.
E. Low-grade fever: Low-grade fever can be a systemic symptom of RA due to the autoimmune inflammatory process, which is not a feature of osteoarthritis.