Question

The nurse is caring for a client that is taking prednisone and aspirin for rheumatoid arthritis. Which action by the nurse is appropriate for this client?

A
Monitor the client's temperature every two hours
B
Apply a hot pack to a warm, acutely inflamed joint
C
Test the client's stool for occult blood Correct Answer (Blank)
D
Assess the client's pain level once a shift

Answer 1

The appropriate action by the nurse for a client taking prednisone and aspirin for rheumatoid arthritis is to test the client's stool for occult blood, due to the increased risk of gastrointestinal bleeding.

Step-by-step explanation:

Given the patient's treatment regimen of prednisone and aspirin for rheumatoid arthritis, the appropriate action by the nurse would be to test the client's stool for occult blood. This is necessary because both prednisone (a corticosteroid) and aspirin are known to increase the risk of gastrointestinal bleeding. Monitoring the patient for signs of bleeding is a key aspect of safe patient care.

Monitoring temperature might be relevant in the context of infection but is not the priority here. Applying a hot pack to an inflamed joint could potentially worsen inflammation and is not recommended. Finally, assessing pain level is important, but with the known risks of gastrointestinal bleeding associated with these medications, specifically testing stools for occult blood is crucial.