A client with severe rheumatoid arthritis is experiencing joint pain and stiffness. Which intervention should the nurse implement to help relieve the client's symptoms?
- A. Apply cold packs to the affected joints.
- B. Encourage passive range-of-motion exercises.
- C. Administer a muscle relaxant.
- D. Provide a high-calorie diet.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Encourage passive range-of-motion exercises. This intervention helps improve joint mobility, reduce stiffness, and alleviate pain in clients with rheumatoid arthritis. Passive range-of-motion exercises can prevent joint contractures and maintain joint function. Applying cold packs (A) may help reduce inflammation but does not address joint stiffness. Administering a muscle relaxant (C) is not typically indicated for rheumatoid arthritis. Providing a high-calorie diet (D) is important for overall health but does not directly address joint pain and stiffness in this case.
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A client with peptic ulcer disease is prescribed omeprazole (Prilosec). Which instruction should the nurse include in the client's teaching plan?
- A. Take the medication with food.
- B. Take the medication at bedtime.
- C. Take the medication on an empty stomach.
- D. Take the medication as needed for pain relief.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Take the medication on an empty stomach. Omeprazole is a proton pump inhibitor that works best when taken on an empty stomach, about 30 minutes before meals. This allows the medication to be absorbed effectively and provides optimal therapeutic effects in reducing stomach acid production. Taking it with food (choice A) may decrease its efficacy. Taking it at bedtime (choice B) is not ideal as it may not coincide with the peak acid production in the stomach. Taking it as needed for pain relief (choice D) is not appropriate as omeprazole is a scheduled medication for the management of peptic ulcer disease, not for immediate pain relief.
A client with cirrhosis of the liver is experiencing pruritus. Which intervention should the nurse implement to help relieve the client's symptoms?
- A. Administer acetaminophen (Tylenol).
- B. Apply lotion to the skin.
- C. Encourage a high-protein diet.
- D. Provide a warm bath.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Apply lotion to the skin. Pruritus in cirrhosis is often due to dry skin. Applying lotion helps hydrate the skin, reducing itching. Acetaminophen (A) can worsen liver damage. High-protein diet (C) is not directly related to pruritus relief. Warm bath (D) may further dry the skin.
The nurse is planning care for a 16-year-old with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA). The nurse includes activities to strengthen and mobilize the joints and surrounding muscles. Which physical therapy regimen should the nurse encourage the adolescent to implement?
- A. Exercise in a swimming pool.
- B. Splint affected joints during activity.
- C. Perform passive range of motion exercises twice daily.
- D. Begin a training program of lifting weights and running.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Exercise in a swimming pool. This option is ideal for a 16-year-old with JRA because it provides a low-impact environment that helps strengthen muscles and improve joint mobility without putting excessive stress on the joints. Swimming also helps reduce pain and stiffness associated with JRA.
Choice B (Splint affected joints during activity) is incorrect because splinting may restrict movement and hinder muscle strengthening. Choice C (Perform passive range of motion exercises twice daily) is not as effective as active exercises in improving muscle strength and joint mobility. Choice D (Begin a training program of lifting weights and running) can be too high-impact and may exacerbate joint inflammation and pain in individuals with JRA.
The healthcare provider is caring for a client with Guillain-Barr© syndrome. Which assessment finding requires the healthcare provider's immediate action?
- A. Loss of deep tendon reflexes.
- B. Ascending weakness.
- C. New onset of confusion.
- D. Decreased vital capacity.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D: Decreased vital capacity. This finding indicates respiratory muscle weakness, which can lead to respiratory failure in Guillain-Barr© syndrome. Immediate action is needed to prevent respiratory compromise. Choice A is a common finding in Guillain-Barr© and does not require immediate action. Choice B is characteristic of Guillain-Barr© and should be monitored but not the most urgent. Choice C could indicate other issues but is not as critical as respiratory compromise.
A client with a history of hypertension is prescribed hydrochlorothiazide. Which instruction should the nurse include in the client's teaching?
- A. Take this medication in the morning.
- B. Avoid foods high in potassium.
- C. Monitor your blood pressure regularly.
- D. Decrease your intake of high-sodium foods.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: "Monitor your blood pressure regularly." This instruction is crucial for a client with hypertension prescribed hydrochlorothiazide because the medication helps lower blood pressure. By monitoring their blood pressure regularly, the client can track the effectiveness of the medication and ensure it is within the target range. This allows for early detection of any potential issues or the need for medication adjustments.
Option A is incorrect because while it is generally recommended to take hydrochlorothiazide in the morning, it is not the most critical instruction for this scenario. Option B is incorrect as hydrochlorothiazide can cause hypokalemia, so avoiding high potassium foods is not necessary. Option D is also important but not as crucial as monitoring blood pressure, as reducing high-sodium foods can help manage hypertension but is not specific to hydrochlorothiazide.