The nurse examines a client's right great toe. The joint is red, edematous, and very painful with limited range of motion. The client's serum uric acid levels are elevated. Which action should the nurse tell the client to make?

A. Encouraging fluid intake is important in managing elevated uric acid levels and conditions like gout. Increased fluid intake helps dilute the uric acid in the blood and promotes its excretion through the kidneys, which can help reduce the frequency of gout attacks. B. Increasing the intake of red meat is not advisable, as red meat is high in purines, which can exacerbate gout by increasing uric acid levels. Clients with elevated uric acid should avoid purine-rich foods to prevent worsening their condition. C. While measuring urine output can be useful in monitoring kidney function, it does not directly address the elevated uric acid levels or the acute gout symptoms the client is experiencing. D. Splinting the affected joint may help with pain management by immobilizing the joint, but it is not a primary intervention for reducing uric acid levels or preventing further gout attacks. The focus should be on managing the underlying cause.