A nurse is planning care for a client who has rheumatoid arthritis. Which of the following interventions should the nurse include in the plan?
A.
Encourage the client to take a cool sponge bath each morning.
B.
Administer opioid analgesia.
C.
Increase the client’s dietary iron intake.
D.
Restrict the client’s intake of foods high in purines.
The correct answer and Explanation is :
The correct answer is C. Increase the client’s dietary iron intake.
Explanation:
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic, autoimmune disease that primarily affects the joints but can have systemic effects, including fatigue, anemia, and organ involvement. While there is no cure, treatment focuses on managing symptoms, reducing inflammation, and improving the patient’s quality of life. The interventions a nurse includes in the care plan should target symptom relief and prevention of complications.
Option C: Increase dietary iron intake.
Patients with RA are at a higher risk of developing anemia due to chronic inflammation. The inflammatory process associated with RA can interfere with the body’s ability to use and produce red blood cells efficiently, leading to anemia of chronic disease (ACD). Increasing dietary iron intake can help address this issue, particularly if anemia is related to iron deficiency. Iron-rich foods like lean meats, beans, spinach, and fortified cereals can improve iron levels and help with overall energy levels and fatigue management in these patients.
Option A: Encourage a cool sponge bath each morning.
This option is incorrect because patients with RA typically benefit from warm baths or showers, which help reduce stiffness and ease joint discomfort, especially in the morning when stiffness is most pronounced.
Option B: Administer opioid analgesia.
Opioids are not typically a first-line treatment for RA pain. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), corticosteroids, and disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) are more commonly used. Opioids may be considered in severe cases but are not part of routine care due to potential side effects and the risk of dependency.
Option D: Restrict the intake of foods high in purines.
This advice is more relevant to patients with gout, not RA. Gout is a different type of arthritis characterized by the accumulation of uric acid, which can be exacerbated by foods high in purines like red meats and shellfish. Purine intake is not a factor in RA management.