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
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
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A rationale:
Pitting edema of the hands and fingers is not a typical finding in SLE. It can occur in some cases, but it is more commonly associated with other conditions such as kidney disease or heart failure.
Choice B rationale:
Grey colored, non-purpuric papular rash is not a characteristic of SLE. This type of rash is more commonly seen in conditions such as lichen planus or sarcoidosis.
Choice C rationale:
A dry, red rash across the bridge of the nose and on the cheeks, also known as a malar rash, is a classic sign of SLE. It is often described as a "butterfly rash" because of its shape. The rash is caused by inflammation of the small blood vessels in the skin. It is typically worsened by sun exposure.
Choice D rationale:
Subcutaneous nodules on the ulnar side of the arm are a characteristic finding in rheumatoid arthritis, not SLE.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A rationale:
Coughing and deep breathing: These techniques directly promote airway clearance by mobilizing and expelling secretions from the lungs. They are essential for clients with pneumonia, as the buildup of secretions can obstruct the airways and impair gas exchange.
Hydration maintenance: Adequate hydration helps to thin secretions, making them easier to cough up and clear from the lungs. It also helps to prevent dehydration, which can worsen respiratory symptoms.
Choice B rationale:
Keeping the head of the bed elevated: This can help to improve breathing by decreasing the work of breathing and promoting lung expansion. However, it is not the most effective intervention for directly clearing secretions from the lungs.
Choice C rationale:
Preparation for insertion of a tracheostomy tube: This is a more invasive intervention that may be necessary in severe cases of airway obstruction. However, it is not the priority intervention for a client with ineffective airway clearance related to pneumonia.
Choice D rationale:
Providing supplemental oxygen: This can help to improve oxygenation in clients with pneumonia. However, it does not directly address the problem of ineffective airway clearance.
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.