Final answer:
For a client with rheumatoid arthritis who struggles with buttoning clothing, the nurse should recommend occupational therapy, as it is focused on aiding patient's daily activities and improving their independence in daily routines.
Step-by-step explanation:
A nurse planning discharge care for a client who has rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and has difficulty buttoning clothing should recommend a referral to occupational therapy. Occupational therapists specialize in helping individuals with disabilities, injuries, or illnesses improve their ability to perform tasks in their daily living and working environments. They are trained to assist with adaptive techniques and tools to ease the burden of routine tasks such as dressing, which can be difficult for people with joint pain and limited mobility commonly found in RA. While other referrals like a pain management clinic or physical therapy might be beneficial to an RA patient's overall treatment plan, for the specific issue of difficulty with clothing, occupational therapy is the most relevant.