An older female client with rheumatoid arthritis is complaining of severe joint pain. Which action should the nurse take?

An older female client with rheumatoid arthritis is complaining of severe joint pain. Which action should the nurse take?

• A. Drape the sheets over the footboard of the bed
• B. Massage the joints
• C. Elevate legs and encourage rest
• D. Administer analgesics as ordered

Answer: (A)

Pain relief in rheumatoid arthritis is best achieved by giving the prescribed analgesic. Administering analgesics as ordered directly targets the patient’s severe joint pain, helping to reduce discomfort, improve sleep, and enable rest and participation in care. Nonpharmacologic actions like massaging the joints can irritate inflamed tissue and worsen pain during a flare, elevating the legs addresses circulation or fatigue more than the inflammatory pain, and draping sheets over the footboard does not treat the pain itself. So, providing the prescribed analgesia is the most effective way to manage the patient’s acute pain.

Pain relief in rheumatoid arthritis is best achieved by giving the prescribed analgesic. Administering analgesics as ordered directly targets the patient’s severe joint pain, helping to reduce discomfort, improve sleep, and enable rest and participation in care. Nonpharmacologic actions like massaging the joints can irritate inflamed tissue and worsen pain during a flare, elevating the legs addresses circulation or fatigue more than the inflammatory pain, and draping sheets over the footboard does not treat the pain itself. So, providing the prescribed analgesia is the most effective way to manage the patient’s acute pain.