An older patient is in the family practice clinic reporting increasing joint pain,anorexia,and low-grade fever.The patient has a history of osteoarthritis.What action by the nurse is best?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The patient's symptoms suggest the possibility of rheumatoid arthritis, which can be differentiated from osteoarthritis by the presence of joint deformities and nodules. The nurse should assess for these and report findings to the provider. Simply documenting the findings or encouraging physical therapy may not address the potential need for further evaluation and treatment, and telling the provider to prescribe more pain medicine does not address the potential underlying cause of the symptoms.

An Older Patient Is in the Family Practice Clinic Reporting