Chapter 34 Assessment & Management of Patients w/ Inflammatory Rheumatic Disorders Flashcards
Rheumatic Disorders
Numerous disorders affecting skeletal muscles, bones, cartilage, ligaments, tendons, and joints
Examples of Inflammatory Rheumatic Disorders
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Spondyloarthropathies
Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
Impact of Rheumatic Disorders
Limitations in mobility & ADLs
Pain
Fatigue
Altered self-image
Sleep disturbances
Systemic effects that can lead to organ failure & death
Rheumatic diseases most commonly manifest the clinical features of…
…arthritis & pain
Arthritis
Inflammation of a joint
Which population is more affected by rheumatic disorders? Women or Men?
Generally, women are 2-9 X more commonly affected by rheumatic disorders
These disorders tend to be marked by…
… periods of remission & exacerbation
Remission
A period when the disease symptoms are reduced or absent
Exacerbation
A period when symptoms occur or increase
Inflammation
A complex physiologic process mediated by the immune system that occurs in response to harmful stimuli
Meant to protect the body from insult by removing the triggering antigen or event
Steps of Inflammatory Process
1) Antigen stimulus
2) Body’s immune system activates & forms antibodies like monocytes & T lymphocytes (T-cells)
3) Immunoglobulin antibodies form immune complexes w/antigens
4) Phagocytosis of the immune complexes is initiated
- Produces chemicals (leukotrienes & prostaglandins)
5) Inflammatory response is generated
- Joint effusion
- Edema
- Pain
Leukotrienes
Contribute to the inflammatory process by attracting other WBCs to the area
Prostaglandins
Act as modifiers to inflammation
- Can either increase or decrease it
Collagenase
Breaks down collagen
- Causes edema & proliferation of the synovial membrane
Pannus
The proliferation of newly formed synovial tissue infiltrated w/ inflammatory cells
Autoimmunity
Body recognizes own tissue as foreign antigen
Degeneration
Secondary response to inflammation
Common Symptoms of Rheumatoid Disease
Joint pain & swelling
Limited movement
Stiffness
Weakness
Fatigue
Assessment: Obtaining a Health History
Onset of symptoms & how they have evolved
Family hx
Past history
Patient’s perception of the problem
Previous treatments & their effects
Patient’s support system
Patient’s current knowledge base & source of info
Gerontological Considerations for Rheumatoid Disorders
Musculoskeletal problems are the most frequently reported conditions in older adults
- Will be seen more frequently by health professionals in the coming years along w/ associated disability
- Especially frail older adults
Comorbid conditions have the ability to mask or alter presenting symptoms
These need to be assessed in older adults:
- Frequency
- Pattern of onset
- Clinical features
- Severity
- Effects on function of the rheumatic disease in older adults
Behavioral clues may aid the nurse in assessing the patient’s pain when cognitive impairment is present:
- Gait patterns
- Guarding
- Flexion
Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)
Chronic Inflammatory Disease that can affect people of all ages
Chronic joint inflammation by a disruption in immune system
Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) Risk Factors
Environmental factors (pollution)
Cigarette smoking: Highly related to RA
Family Hx of 1st-degree relatives
Bacterial & viral illnesses
What does rheumatoid arthritis attack?
Mostly conjunctive tissue (synovial membrane, tendons, & ligaments)
The effect of RA on the joints
Inflammation causes swelling, pain, & burning sensation
Clinical Manifestations of Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)
Symmetric joint pain & morning stiffness (last longer than 1 hr)
Spongy/boggy tissue (fluid may be aspirated)
Symptoms begin in small joints & move to larger joints as disease progress
Symptoms are bilateral & symmetric
Limited func may be present before the presentation of bony changes
- Loss of function due to contractures
Ulnar deviation & swan neck deformity
System Manifestations:
- Fever
- Fatigue
- Weight loss
- Anemia
- Lymph node enlargement
- Raynaud’s phenomenon
Pharmacological Treatment of RA
Biologic of Non-Biologic Disease-modifying antirheumatic drug (DMARD)
-Hydroxychloroquine:can cause retinal degeneration -Methotrexate:bone marrow suppression, GI ulcerations, skin rashes
-Infliximab (Remicade): Must have TB test before administration
Gout
Most common form of inflammatory arthritis
A type of inflammatory arthritis characterized by deposits of uric acid crystals in the joints
Why does gout mainly affect the big toe?
Mainly affects the big toe due to being the most distal part & the coldest part of the body
- Decrease in temperature turns uric acid-> crystals
-> Worsens at night due to this
Tophi
Crystalline deposits accumulating in articular tissue, osseous tissue, soft tissue, and cartilage
Primary Hyperuricemia Causes
Results from severe dieting or starvation, excessive intake of foods high in purines (shellfish, organ meats) or hereditary
Secondary Hyperuricemia Causes
Results from a clinical feature secondary to genetic or acquired processes, including:
- leukemia
-multiple myeloma
-some types of anemia
-psoriasis
-diuretics (thiazides and furosemide)
-low-dose salicylates, or ethanol
Acute Gouty Arthritis
Recurrent attacks of severe articular and periarticular inflammation
What are some triggers for acute gouty arthritis?
Triggered by trauma, ETOH ingestion, dieting, meds, surgical stress or illness
Clinical Manifestations of Acute Gouty Arthritis
Abrupt onset (often at night)
Severe pain, redness, swelling, and warmth of affected joint
What elements should the nurse assess in a patient with Gout?
Lab values (uric acid)
Diet
Gait
Pain
Assess for signs of inflammation, which joints are involved, & extent
Education on disease process, readiness to learn
The 4 Stages of Gout
1) Asymptomatic hyperuricemia
2) Acute gouty arthritis
- Triggered by trauma, ETOH ingestion,
dieting, meds, surgical stress or illness
Abrupt onset often at night
Severe pain, redness, swelling, and
warmth of affected join
3) Intercritical gout (symptom-free gout)
4) Chronic tophaceous gout
Name 3 priority nursing diagnosis for a patient with gout?
Acute Pain
Impaired Mobility
Knowledge deficit
Nursing Interventions for Gout: Medications
Colchicine for acute attacks
NSAIDs (indomethacin)
Corticosteroids
Allopurinol - uric acid lowering therapy given post acute attacks
Probenecid - uricosuric agent for patients with frequent attacks
Nursing Interventions for Gout: Patient Education
Lifestyle changes
-Avoiding purine-rich foods
-Weight loss
-Decreasing alcohol consumption
-Avoiding certain medications
Pain management and avoidance of factors that increase pain and inflammation, such as trauma, stress, and alcohol
Foods to Avoid in Patients w/ Gout
Purine Rich Foods: Anchovies, liver, sardines, lentils, & alcoholic beverages
Osteoarthritis
Progressive Mechanical Disease
Degradation of articular cartilage caused by friction causing pain and stiffness (non-inflammatory)
Associated w/ aging & overworked joints
Osteoarthritis Risk Factors
65 years or older
Work-related issues
Female
Obesity
Hispanic/African American Descent
What occurs in a joint affected w/ osteoarthritis?
Degradation of articular cartilage caused by friction causing pain and stiffness (non-inflammatory)
The effect of osteoarthritis on tendons & ligaments
Tendons and ligaments lose their elasticity and wear out, reducing their mobility
Clinical Manifestations of Osteoarthritis
Pain and brief morning stiffness, lasting < 30mins
Functional impairment
Joints aggravated by movement or exercise
-Relieved by rest
Affected joints may be enlarged w/ decreased ROM
Crepitus may be palpated, especially over the knee Mild joint effusion, a sign of inflammation
Heberden’s and Bouchard’s nodes
Herberden’s: Distal interphalangeal
Bouchard’s: Proximal interphalangeal
No systemic manifestations
Pharmacological Treatment of Osteoarthritis
Acetaminophen: Initial therapy
NSAIDS: Cox-2 enzyme blockers for those at risk for GI complications
Opioids and Corticosteroids:Topical diclofenac sodium gel (Voltarengel)
Glucosamine and chondroitin
Surgical Treatments for both RA & OA
Osteotomy or Arthroplasty
Rehab with physical therapy w/in 1st 24hrs
Arthroplasty
Surgical removal of an unhealthy joint removal & replacement of joint surfaces w/metal or synthetic materials
Common Conditions that May Require Arthroplasty
Osteoarthritis (OA), RA, congenital deformities
Frequently Replaced Joints
Hips, knees, & fingers
Total Hip Arthroplasty
Replacement of a severely damaged hip w/ an artificial
joint
Total Hip Arthroplasty Indications
Osteoarthritis or Rheumatoid arthritis
Femoral neck fractures,
Failure of previous reconstructive surgeries
Conditions resulting from developmental dysplasia
(avascular necrosis of the hip in childhood)
*Prostheses chosen based on skeletal structure and activity level