Gout

An acutely hot, swollen joint demands two parallel questions: Is this gout, or is it infection? And once the flare settles, how will recurrent crystal deposition be prevented? Gout can cause dramatic pain without systemic instability, but septic arthritis can rapidly damage the joint and requires urgent treatment. The RN therefore separates immediate flare control from long-term urate reduction while escalating promptly when infection remains possible.