Question

The nurse is providing discharge education about how to avoid joint stress for a client hospitalized with an acute exacerbation of rheumatoid arthritis. Which statement by the client demonstrates the teaching has been effective?

a) I need to start carrying heavy items with my arms, instead of my hands."
b) I will be able to return to my job as a medical transcriptionist.""
c) I can still sit and knit while watching television."
d) I will sit on a tall kitchen stool instead of standing when I am preparing meals."
e) When I go to bed at night I should use a pillow under my knees."

Answer 1

Two options apply here, and they are:

a) I need to start carrying heavy items with my arms, instead of my hands.

d) I will sit on a tall kitchen stool instead of standing when I am preparing meals

Step-by-step explanation:

Rheumatoid arthritis is a disease that makes joints become painful or swollen. It has no cure, but the level of growth can be slowed by medications.

Carrying heavy items on the arms instead of the hand, helps take stress off the joints in the hands.

In the lower body, sitting helps take pressure off the joints.

Knitting is not advisable, because stress on the joints can be caused by steady movements. Placing pillows under kness would not help avoid joint stress because there is a chance of having joint contracture.

So, when the client makes any of the statements in option (a) and (d), the nurse clearly understands the teaching has been effective.