Question

A female client with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) comes to the clinic complaining of joint pain and swelling. The client has been taking prednisone (Deltasone) and ibuprofen (Motrin Extra Strength) every day. To assist the client with self-management of her pain, which information should the nurse obtain?

Answer 1

To assist the client with self-management of her pain, the nurse should obtain information about the severity and location of joint pain, effectiveness and side effects of current medications, compliance with medication regimen, non-pharmacological pain management techniques used by the client, and impact of pain on daily activities.

Step-by-step explanation:

In order to assist the client with self-management of her pain, the nurse should obtain the following information:

1. Severity and location of joint pain and swelling
2. Effectiveness of the current medications (prednisone and ibuprofen)
3. Presence of any side effects from the medications
4. Compliance with the prescribed medication regimen
5. Other non-pharmacological pain management techniques used by the client, such as heat or cold therapy, exercise, or relaxation techniques
6. Impact of the pain on the client's daily activities and quality of life

By gathering this information, the nurse can better understand the client's pain experience and develop a personalized pain management plan that may include adjustments to medication dosage, addition of other pain relief measures, or referral to a specialist if needed.