Question

The nurse is planning care for a client with limited knee function due to arthritis. Which interventions should the nurse include in this client's plan of care?

1) Provide antiarthritis medications as prescribed.
2) Assess pain level and provide medication as prescribed.
3) Encourage participation in physical therapy as prescribed.
4) Provide antipyretics as prescribed.
5) Encourage rest of the affected joint.

Answer 1

Effective care for a client with arthritis includes providing prescribed anti-arthritis medications, assessing pain and administering appropriate pain relief, encouraging physical therapy, advising on weight loss and low-impact exercises, and suggesting rest with aids like canes or splints when necessary.

Step-by-step explanation:

The nurse's plan of care for a client with limited knee function due to arthritis should include a combination of interventions aimed at reducing pain, decreasing inflammation, and improving joint function. These interventions could include:

• Provide anti-arthritis medications such as aspirin, topical pain relievers, and corticosteroid injections as prescribed.
• Assess pain level and provide medication as prescribed, taking care to use medications like acetaminophen for its lower risk of side effects and being cautious of the risks associated with NSAIDs and opioids.
• Encourage participation in physical therapy as prescribed to strengthen the muscles around the joint and maintain flexibility once inflammation has decreased.
• Advise on lifestyle changes such as weight loss and low-impact exercise to alleviate pain and improve function.
• Encourage rest of the affected joint, potentially using a cane or splints to minimize inflammation.

Overall, the interventions should focus on a holistic approach combining medication, physical therapy, and lifestyle changes to manage the symptoms of arthritis effectively.