Question

a client with chronic gouty arthritis takes allopurinol and experiences an acute attack of gouty arthritis. the healthcare provider prescribes concurrent low - dose colchicine. which information should the nurse provide the client that best explains the action of the colchicine?
acts like aspirin to relieve pain.
facilitates the excretion of uric acid.
reduces inflammation at the affected site.
prevents formation of uric acid crystals.

Explanation:

1. Analyze Option 1: Aspirin is an analgesic and anti - inflammatory, but colchicine does not act like aspirin. Colchicine's mechanism is not the same as aspirin's, so this option is incorrect.
2. Analyze Option 2: Drugs like probenecid facilitate uric acid excretion. Colchicine does not have this function, so this option is wrong.
3. Analyze Option 3: Colchicine is known to reduce inflammation in acute gouty arthritis by interfering with the migration of leukocytes to the inflamed area. This matches the situation of the client having an acute gout attack, so this option is correct.
4. Analyze Option 4: Allopurinol is the drug that prevents the formation of uric acid crystals (by inhibiting xanthine oxidase), not colchicine. So this option is incorrect.

Answer:

C. Reduces inflammation at the affected site.