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