A cane should be used on the unaffected side. A client with osteoarthritis should be encouraged to ambulate with a cane, walker, or other assistive device as needed; their use takes weight and stress off joints.

Option A: If a single assisting hand helps to walk, then logically a cane might be of potential benefit.
Option B: A cane should be used on the unaffected side of the client.
Option D: The use of a cane is important to prevent further injury or falls.

A 70/30 insulin preparation is 70% NPH and 30% regular insulin. Therefore, a correct substitution requires mixing 21 U of NPH and 9 U of regular insulin.

Option B: Using this dosage would be incorrect and may produce no effect on the client’s blood sugar level.
Option C: This is an incorrect insulin dose. Incorrect administration can result in transient and serious hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia, wide glycemic excursions, and diabetic ketoacidosis.
Option D: This is an incorrect dosage for the prescribed insulin. Glycemic control is poorer in those who lacked confidence in their ability to choose correct doses.

A disease characterized by joint inflammation (especially in the great toe), gout is caused by urate crystal deposits in the joints. The physician prescribes colchicine to reduce these deposits and thus ease joint inflammation.

Option A: Although aspirin is used to reduce joint inflammation and pain in clients with osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, it isn’t indicated for gout because it has no effect on urate crystal formation.
Option B: Furosemide, a diuretic, doesn’t relieve gout. It is a loop diuretic that prevents the body from absorbing too much salt. This allows the salt to be passed in the urine.
Option D: Calcium gluconate is used to reverse a negative calcium balance and relieve muscle cramps, not to treat gout.

Excessive secretion of aldosterone in the adrenal cortex is responsible for the client’s hypertension. This hormone acts on the renal tubule, where it promotes reabsorption of sodium and excretion of potassium and hydrogen ions.

Option B: The pancreas mainly secretes hormones involved in fuel metabolism.
Option C: The adrenal medulla secretes the catecholamines — epinephrine and norepinephrine.
Option D: The parathyroids secrete parathyroid hormone.

For this client, wet-to-dry dressings are most appropriate because they clean the foot ulcer by debriding exudate and necrotic tissue, thus promoting healing by secondary intention.

Option A: Moist, transparent dressings contain exudate and provide a moist wound environment.
Option D: Hydrocolloid dressings prevent the entrance of microorganisms and minimize wound discomfort.
Option B: Dry sterile dressings protect the wound from mechanical trauma and promote healing.