Question

The nurse is creating a plan to assist an older adult to manage rheumatoid arthritis. which areas will the nurse include in this plan?

A) Medication management and adherence
B) Strategies for increasing caffeine intake
C) Incorporation of high-impact exercises
D) Promotion of joint protection techniques
E) Encouragement of smoking as a stress-relief measure

Answer 1

In managing rheumatoid arthritis, the nurse's plan would include medication management and adherence, promotion of joint protection techniques, and encouragement of appropriate exercise, while avoiding high-impact activities and discouraging smoking. C) Incorporation of high-impact exercises

Step-by-step explanation:

The nurse developing a plan to assist an older adult to manage rheumatoid arthritis (RA) would focus on several key areas to alleviate symptoms and slow the progression of the disease. These would include:

• Medication management and adherence: Ensuring the patient understands how to take their medications correctly, including anti-inflammatory drugs like aspirin, corticosteroid injections, and disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) that target the autoimmune response.
• Promotion of joint protection techniques: Teaching the patient how to rest affected joints using a cane or splints to minimize inflammation, and employing joint-stress reduction strategies.
• Exercise: Encouraging low-impact exercises that strengthen muscles around the joints and maintain flexibility without exacerbating symptoms.

Strategies that would not be recommended due to their potential to worsen RA symptoms include increasing caffeine intake, high-impact exercises, and encouraging smoking, which is known to worsen inflammation and overall health.