When planning care for a patient diagnosed with fibromyalgia, the nurse addresses the potential problem of activity intolerance. What should the nurse recommend to the patient to most effectively address this problem?

A program of regular mild to moderate exercise

Daily meditation and guided imagery

Referral to physical therapy for an assistive device

NSAID medications on a regular schedule

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is A

Choice A:
Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition characterized by widespread musculoskeletal pain, fatigue, sleep disturbances, and cognitive difficulties. Activity intolerance is a common symptom, resulting in patients experiencing increased fatigue, pain, and decreased function with exertion.
A program of regular mild to moderate exercise is considered the cornerstone of management for fibromyalgia. Exercise improves physical fitness, reduces pain intensity, and enhances sleep quality. It also decreases fatigue and depression, and improves overall well-being and quality of life. The key is to start with low-impact activities, gradually increase intensity and duration over time, and listen to the body's signals to avoid overexertion.
Here's how exercise benefits patients with fibromyalgia:
Pain reduction: Exercise releases endorphins, natural pain-relieving chemicals in the brain. It also strengthens muscles and improves joint flexibility, leading to decreased pain intensity and frequency.
Improved physical fitness: Regular exercise increases cardiovascular health, muscle strength, and endurance, allowing patients to tolerate activity better and perform daily tasks with less fatigue.
Enhanced sleep quality: Exercise can regulate sleep patterns, promoting deeper sleep and reducing nighttime pain, leading to improved energy levels and mood throughout the day.
Reduced fatigue and depression: Exercise triggers the release of mood-boosting neurotransmitters, like serotonin and dopamine, which can help alleviate symptoms of depression and fatigue commonly associated with fibromyalgia.
Improved overall well-being: Regular physical activity enhances self-efficacy, reduces stress, and promotes social interaction, contributing to a better quality of life for patients with fibromyalgia.
Therefore, a program of regular mild to moderate exercise is the most effective recommendation for patients with fibromyalgia to address activity intolerance and improve their overall well-being.
Rationale for other choices:

Choice B: While daily meditation and guided imagery can be helpful for managing stress and improving sleep in fibromyalgia, they are not as effective as exercise in directly addressing activity intolerance and improving physical fitness and function.

Choice C: Referral to physical therapy for an assistive device may be necessary in some cases with severe limitations, but it is not the first-line intervention for addressing activity intolerance in most patients with fibromyalgia. Exercise should be the initial focus, with assistive devices considered later if needed.

Choice D: NSAID medications can offer temporary pain relief, but they do not address the underlying cause of activity intolerance in fibromyalgia and can have side effects like gastritis and kidney problems. NSAIDs should be used cautiously and only as a complementary therapy alongside exercise in managing fibromyalgia symptoms.
Remember, a tailored exercise program, starting with low-impact activities and gradually increasing intensity, is the key to managing activity intolerance and improving function in patients with fibromyalgia.

Nursing Test Bank

Quiz #1: RN Exams Pharmacology Exams Quiz #2: RN Exams Medical-Surgical Exams Quiz #3: RN Exams Fundamentals Exams Quiz #4: RN Exams Maternal-Newborn Exams Quiz #5: RN Exams Anatomy and Physiology Exams Quiz #6: RN Exams Obstetrics and Pediatrics Exams Quiz #7: RN Exams Fluid and Electrolytes Exams Quiz #8: RN Exams Community Health Exams Quiz #9: RN Exams Promoting Health across the lifespan Exams Quiz #10: RN Exams Multidimensional care Exams

Get 100+ Naxlex Exit Exams for $79 Try Naxlex NCLEX-RN (14 Day Free-Trial)

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

Quiz #1: Naxlex RN Comprehensive online practice 2019 B with NGN Quiz #2: Naxlex RN Comprehensive Predictor 2023 Quiz #3: Naxlex RN Comprehensive Predictor 2023 Exit Exam A Quiz #4: Naxlex HESI Exit LPN Exam Quiz #5: Naxlex PN Comprehensive Predictor PN 2020 Quiz #6: Naxlex VATI PN Comprehensive Predictor 2020 Quiz #8: Naxlex PN Comprehensive Predictor 2023 - Exam 1 Quiz #10: Naxlex HESI PN Exit exam Quiz #11: Naxlex HESI PN EXIT Exam 2

Free Nursing Study Resources

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

Anorexia nervosa is a condition characterized by severe weight loss and malnutrition. People with anorexia nervosa are often deficient in nutrients, including purines. Purines are broken down in the body to produce uric acid. When there is an excess of purines in the body, uric acid levels can rise, leading to gout.

Choice B is incorrect. While consuming foods low in purines can help to prevent gout attacks, it is not a risk factor for developing gout.
Choice C is incorrect. Children are not at risk for developing gout. Gout is more common in adults, especially men.
Choice D is incorrect. Ulcerative colitis is an inflammatory bowel disease that is not associated with an increased risk of gout.

A. Restrict weight-bearing on the right foot B. Ensure fluid intake of at least 8 liters per day C. Restrict consumption of foods high in purines D. Take OTC calcium supplements consistently

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

Choice A rationale:
Restricting weight-bearing on the affected foot may provide some temporary relief from pain during an acute gout attack. However, it is not a long-term management strategy and can lead to muscle weakness and joint stiffness. It's important to gradually resume weight-bearing activities as tolerated to maintain joint function.

Choice B rationale:
Adequate fluid intake is essential for overall health and can help to flush out uric acid from the body. However, 8 liters per day is an excessive amount of fluid and could lead to electrolyte imbalances and other health problems. A more appropriate recommendation for a client with gout would be to aim for a fluid intake of 2-3 liters per day, unless otherwise advised by a healthcare provider.

Choice C rationale:
Restricting consumption of foods high in purines is a key management strategy for gout. Purines are substances found in certain foods that break down into uric acid in the body. High levels of uric acid can lead to the formation of urate crystals, which deposit in joints and cause inflammation and pain. Examples of foods high in purines include organ meats, red meat, seafood, and some types of beans and lentils.

Choice D rationale:
Calcium supplements have not been shown to be effective in the management of gout. In fact, some studies have suggested that calcium supplements may even increase the risk of gout attacks.

View Question and Answer

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

When planning care for a patient diagnosed with fibromyalgia, the nurse addresses the potential problem of activity intolerance. What should the nurse recommend to the patient to most effectively address this problem?

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

The nurse is caring for a group of patients on a medical surgical unit. Which of the following patients is at most risk for developing gout?

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

A client comes to the clinic with a complaint of pain in the right great toe and is eventually diagnosed with gout. When planning teaching for this client, what management technique should the nurse emphasize?

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

A nurse is completing discharge instructions with a client following an acute onset of gout. Which of the following client statements indicates an understanding of the treatment regimen?

A nurse is completing discharge instructions with a client following an acute onset of gout. Which of the following client statements indicates an understanding of the treatment regimen?

A nurse is in a client's room when the client begins having a tonic-clonic seizure. Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?

A nurse is completing a focused assessment addressing a client's immune function. What should the nurse prioritize in the physical assessment?

A nurse is caring for a patient who has rheumatoid arthritis. Which of the following laboratory tests are used to diagnose the disease? (Select all that apply)

A nurse is caring for a client who requests prescription pain medication. Which of the following actions should the nurse perform first?

A nurse is discussing gout with a patient who is concerned about developing the disorder. Which of the following findings should the nurse identify as risk factors for this disease? Select all that applies.

A nurse on a medical-surgical unit is planning to delegate tasks to an adult volunteer. Which of the following tasks should the charge nurse avoid assigning to the volunteer?