The nurse examines a client's right great toe. The joint is red, edematous, and very painful with limited range of motion. The client's serum uric acid levels are elevated. Which action should the nurse tell the client to make?
Encourage fluid intake.
Measure urine output.
Splint the affected joint.
Increase intake of red meat.
The Correct Answer is A
A. Encourage fluid intake:
Encouraging fluid intake is the most appropriate action for the client experiencing gout, as it helps to promote the excretion of uric acid through urine. Increased fluid intake can help prevent the formation of urate crystals in the joints and reduce the severity and frequency of gout attacks. It is a fundamental aspect of managing gout and preventing future episodes.
B. Measure urine output:
While monitoring urine output is important for overall assessment, it is not specifically indicated in the management of acute gout attacks. Gout is primarily managed by addressing hyperuricemia and reducing inflammation in the affected joints, which is best achieved through hydration and pharmacological interventions.
C. Splint the affected joint:
Splinting the affected joint may provide some relief by immobilizing it and reducing movement, but it does not address the underlying cause of gout or promote the excretion of uric acid. Splinting is more commonly used in the management of injuries or conditions that require joint stabilization.
D. Increase intake of red meat:
Increasing intake of red meat is contraindicated in clients with gout because red meat contains high levels of purines, which can exacerbate hyperuricemia and increase the risk of gout attacks. Dietary modifications for gout typically involve reducing the consumption of foods high in purines, such as red meat, organ meats, and certain seafood.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
A) Face is flushed and diaphoretic:
While flushing and diaphoresis can indicate fever, anxiety, or other conditions, they do not typically require immediate intervention unless associated with other severe symptoms.
B) Eyelids are matted and crusted:
Matted and crusted eyelids may indicate an eye infection, such as conjunctivitis, which requires treatment but not immediate emergency intervention.
C) Cornea are jaundiced:
Jaundiced corneas (scleral icterus) suggest elevated bilirubin levels and possible liver dysfunction. This finding requires prompt evaluation but is not typically an emergency requiring immediate intervention.
D) Oral mucosa is cyanotic:
Cyanosis of the oral mucosa indicates a lack of oxygen in the blood and is a sign of hypoxemia or respiratory distress. This is a critical finding that requires immediate intervention to address potential life-threatening respiratory or cardiovascular issues.
Correct Answer is ["A","D","E"]
Explanation
A) Palpate dorsal surface of feet for warmth:
Assessing the temperature of the dorsal surface of the feet helps determine peripheral circulation and can indicate whether the feet are indeed cold. Cold feet may suggest poor peripheral perfusion or circulation issues, which require further assessment.
B) Test feet for a positive Babinski reflex:
The Babinski reflex is typically tested to assess upper motor neuron dysfunction and is not directly relevant to evaluating the complaint of cold feet.
C) Measure skin elasticity around the ankles:
Measuring skin elasticity around the ankles may be relevant for assessing skin turgor and hydration status but is not specifically related to evaluating the client's complaint of cold feet.
D) Assess volume of the pedal pulses:
Assessing the volume of pedal pulses provides information about peripheral perfusion and circulation. Diminished or absent pedal pulses may indicate peripheral vascular disease or other circulatory issues contributing to cold feet. It's essential to evaluate the strength and symmetry of pedal pulses to determine peripheral vascular status.
E) Observe color of the feet and toes:
While observing the color of the feet and toes is important for assessing circulation and perfusion, it is not specific to evaluating the client's complaint of cold feet. However, color changes, such as pallor or cyanosis, may provide additional information about peripheral circulation and require further assessment.
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