5.1 Chronic Degenerative Disease Disorders Flashcards
1
Q
Rheumatoid Arthritis
A
- Systemic condition
- Autoimmune disease of unknown origin
- Affects joints/muscles/soft tissue
- Females 2.5x more likely to get it
- Onset common between 30-60
- Can be monoarticular or polyarticular (can affect one or multiple joints)
2
Q
Osteoarthritis
A
- Most common joint disorder
3
Q
Osteoperosis
A
- Most prevalent bone disease
4
Q
Rheumatoid Arthritis Risk Factors
A
- Pollution
- Smoking
- Family history
- Bacterial/viral illnesses can be a trigger
5
Q
Distinctions of Rheumatoid Arthritis
A
- Inflammation
- Autoimmunity (Chief distinction. Body recognizes its own tissue as foreign and attacks it)
- Degeneration (Secondary process of inflammation)
6
Q
Rheumatoid Arthritis Pannus
A
- Inflammation leads to damage which leads to pannus
- Abnormal layer of tissue or granulation tissue.
- Destroys cartilage and erodes bone
- Related to degeneration in rheumatoid arthritis
- Commonly found on joints or surface of joints
7
Q
Clinical Manifestations of Rheumatoid Arthritis
A
- Symmetric joint pain
- Swelling of joints
- Pain in joints
- Warmth to the touch
- Stiffness
- Systemic issues like fever, fatigue, weakness.
- Onset is acute, bilateral, symmetric
- Morning stiffness that lasts longer than an hour
- Symptoms vary depending on the stage of RA
8
Q
Rheumatoid Arthritis and Cardiac
A
- Implicated in diseases like atherosclerosis because it interferes with HDL production (High Density Lipoprotein) which leads to arterial wall stiffness
- Related to cardiac issues
9
Q
Rheumatoid Arthritis and Nervous System
A
- Synovial joint inflammation and swelling can compress adjacent nerves. This can cause paresthesia (pins and needles) or numbness/decrease in sensation
10
Q
Assessment of Rheumatoid Arthritis
A
- Onset/evaluation of symptoms
- Is there family history
- Health and physical exam focuses on manifestations
- Stiffness of joints, temperature, swelling, tenderness of joints, articular changes
- Systemic can be weight loss or sensory changes, lymph node enlargement, fatigue, anorexia, loss of appetite.
- Assess articular changes in the joints
- Spongy/boggy tissue when palpating joints
11
Q
Criteria for Rheumatoid Arthritis
A
- Number of joints affected
- Based on urology results
- Inflammatory markers
- Lasted greater than 6 weeks
12
Q
Diagnostic Tests for Rheumatoid Arthritis
A
- x-rays or ultrasounds at the hand and feet are useful for establishing a baseline for joint evaluation
- MRI can detect small erosions
- Arthrocentesis to remove fluid from affected joint and look for infection
- If the fluid is cloudy we can look at WBC or culture of the fluid joint
13
Q
Nursing Priorities for Rheumatoid Arthritis
A
- Acute/chronic pain (comfort/anti-inflammatory analgesics)
- Fatigue (energy conservation techniques, development of activity rest schedule)
- Impaired physical mobility (Assessing and encouraging independence)
14
Q
Nursing Priorities for RA
A
- Self-care deficits (provide assistive devices, assessing use of devices, consulting with community agencies)
- Disturbed body image (identify elements of control over the disease, encourage verbalization of their feelings)
- Ineffective coping (Identify areas of life affected by the disease, develop plan to manage symptoms, family support)
15
Q
Nursing Priorities for RA
A
- Complications secondary to medication
Preform periodic clinical assessments, lab evaluations.
Educate correct way to take medication and side effects
Importance of monitoring
Counsel methods to reduce side effects
Administer medication in modified doses if prescriber complications occur
