The nurse is providing discharge teaching to an older patient hospitalized for treatment of venous leg ulcers. What instructions should the nurse include in the teaching plan? (Select all that apply.)

Choice A rationale
Taking prescribed cortisone accurately is the most important instruction for a client diagnosed with Addison’s disease. Cortisone is a type of glucocorticoid replacement therapy that helps to manage the symptoms of Addison’s disease and prevent adrenal crisis, a life-threatening condition characterized by acute insufficiency of adrenal hormones.
Choice B rationale
Using a walker when weakness occurs may be helpful for some clients with Addison’s disease, as muscle weakness is a common symptom. However, it is not the most important instruction. The primary treatment for Addison’s disease is hormone replacement therapy, which should help to alleviate symptoms such as muscle weakness.
Choice C rationale
Avoiding extreme environmental temperatures can be beneficial for individuals with Addison’s disease, as they may have difficulty regulating body temperature due to cortisol deficiency.
However, this is not the most important instruction. The cornerstone of managing Addison’s disease is hormone replacement therapy.
Choice D rationale
Increasing daily intake of sodium in the diet can be beneficial for some individuals with Addison’s disease, particularly during periods of gastrointestinal illness or intense physical activity. However, this is not the most important instruction. The primary treatment for Addison’s disease is hormone replacement therapy.

Choice A rationale
Encouraging the client to continue their walking routine is a supportive and positive response. This acknowledges the client’s desire to stay active and engage in activities they enjoy despite their osteoarthritis. It promotes a sense of empowerment and independence, which can be important for overall well-being.
Choice B rationale
Advising less weight-bearing to prevent joint destruction may seem logical, but it is not the best advice. Regular exercise, including walking, can actually help manage osteoarthritis by strengthening the muscles around the joints, improving flexibility, and reducing pain.
Choice C rationale
Recommending walking indoors for improved stability and safety might be helpful in some cases, but it is not necessarily the best response. The client has expressed a desire to continue walking in the park with friends, which also has social and mental health benefits.
Choice D rationale
Suggesting a calcium supplement along with continued walking is not the best advice. While calcium is important for bone health, osteoarthritis is not caused by a lack of calcium. It’s a degenerative joint disease that involves the breakdown of cartilage in the joints.