The nurse is caring for a client with a history of rheumatoid arthritis who reports morning stiffness. Which intervention should the nurse include?
Apply warm compresses to affected joints
Restrict all physical activity
Administer high-dose corticosteroids
Encourage high-sodium diet
The Correct Answer is A
Choice A reason: Warm compresses reduce morning stiffness in rheumatoid arthritis by increasing blood flow and relaxing muscles around inflamed joints. This alleviates synovial inflammation, improving mobility and comfort, making it a key nonpharmacologic intervention to manage early daily symptoms effectively.
Choice B reason: Restricting physical activity worsens stiffness and joint deformity in rheumatoid arthritis. Warm compresses are prioritized, as they directly reduce synovial inflammation and improve mobility, enabling gentle exercise, making complete activity restriction counterproductive to joint health and function.
Choice C reason: High-dose corticosteroids are reserved for severe rheumatoid arthritis flares, not routine morning stiffness. Warm compresses are safer, reducing stiffness through localized heat, improving joint function without systemic side effects, making them the priority intervention for daily symptom management.
Choice D reason: A high-sodium diet increases fluid retention, potentially worsening joint inflammation in rheumatoid arthritis. Warm compresses directly alleviate morning stiffness by enhancing circulation, making them the priority, as dietary sodium does not address acute joint symptoms effectively.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A reason: HIV does not primarily cause a deficiency in antibody production. B-cells produce antibodies, but HIV targets CD4 T-cells, impairing their ability to activate B-cells. This indirectly reduces antibody effectiveness, but the primary mechanism is T-cell destruction, not a direct antibody production deficit, making this incorrect.
Choice B reason: HIV infects and destroys helper T-cells (CD4 cells), critical for coordinating immune responses. By reducing CD4 cell counts, HIV impairs activation of B-cells and cytotoxic T-cells, leading to immune suppression. This is the primary mechanism of AIDS-related immune deficiency, making it the correct explanation for HIV pathology.
Choice C reason: Proliferation of suppressor T-cells (regulatory T-cells) is not a primary HIV mechanism. HIV depletes CD4 cells, not suppressor T-cells, which modulate immune responses. While immune dysregulation occurs, the hallmark is CD4 destruction, not suppressor T-cell proliferation, making this an inaccurate description of HIV’s action.
Choice D reason: HIV does not increase B-lymphocyte numbers. It impairs B-cell function indirectly by destroying CD4 cells, which are needed to activate B-cells for antibody production. B-cell hyperactivity may occur in early HIV, but the primary immune suppression results from CD4 cell loss, not B-cell proliferation.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Choice A reason: Chronic constipation and serum gastrin levels are not directly relevant to acute pancreatitis. Constipation may indicate gastrointestinal issues, but gastrin primarily relates to gastric acid secretion. These do not confirm pancreatitis or guide acute management, unlike amylase levels, which are diagnostic for pancreatic inflammation.
Choice B reason: Helicobacter pylori antibodies indicate gastric infection, unrelated to pancreatitis, which involves pancreatic inflammation. Urine output is a general vital sign but not specific to pancreatitis diagnosis. Amylase and symptom severity are more critical for confirming and managing acute pancreatitis, making this less valuable.
Choice C reason: Bowel sounds and abdominal pain degree provide general information but are nonspecific. Pain is expected in pancreatitis, and bowel sounds may vary. Serum amylase and nausea/vomiting severity are more diagnostic, directly reflecting pancreatic inflammation and its systemic effects, making them more critical to report.
Choice D reason: Serum amylase levels are a key diagnostic marker for acute pancreatitis, as pancreatic inflammation releases amylase into the blood. Severity of nausea and vomiting reflects disease impact and fluid loss, guiding treatment. These are the most valuable data for reporting, as they confirm diagnosis and inform management.
Whether you are a student looking to ace your exams or a practicing nurse seeking to enhance your expertise , our nursing education contents will empower you with the confidence and competence to make a difference in the lives of patients and become a respected leader in the healthcare field.
Visit Naxlex, invest in your future and unlock endless possibilities with our unparalleled nursing education contents today
Report Wrong Answer on the Current Question
Do you disagree with the answer? If yes, what is your expected answer? Explain.
Kindly be descriptive with the issue you are facing.