The clinic nurse evaluates the treatment plan of a client with long-standing rheumatoid arthritis. Which question is most important for the nurse to ask?

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11ecbb05_ca16_919d_b433_0f4b56f930f9_MD0009_00 Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disorder that affects joints and other body systems. Chronic inflammation of the synovial joints causes increasing pain and swelling in the joints and eventual joint deformities with decreased or absent range of motion and loss of function. Clients become easily fatigued and must learn to pace themselves and use assistive devices to accomplish activities of daily living. Goals of treatment are to manage pain, minimize loss of joint mobility, maximize self-care, and maintain self-esteem and a positive body image. Assessing for adequate pain control is the priority, as inadequate pain control will cause disuse of joints, leading to stiffness and decreased joint mobility (Option C). (Options A, B, and D) If pain is not adequately controlled, the client will be unlikely to use assistive devices and be too fatigued to perform activities of daily living. This can lead to being dependent on others, causing frustration and poor self-esteem and body image. Educational objective: Pain control is the priority assessment for clients with rheumatoid arthritis. Without adequate pain control, clients will have decreased ability to self-manage activities of daily living, maintain mobility and activity tolerance, and maintain self-esteem and a positive body image.

The Clinic Nurse Evaluates the Treatment Plan of a Client