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?

Choice C rationale Encouraging fluid intake is essential for clients with elevated serum uric acid levels, as it helps to dilute the urine and promote the excretion of uric acid, reducing the risk of gout attacks. Choice A rationale Increasing the intake of red meat is not advisable for clients with elevated serum uric acid levels, as red meat is high in purines, which can exacerbate gout symptoms. Choice B rationale Splinting the affected joint may provide temporary relief from pain, but it does not address the underlying issue of elevated serum uric acid levels. Choice D rationale Measuring urine output is important for monitoring kidney function, but it does not directly address the management of elevated serum uric acid levels.