GOUT

Question 1

What is Gout?

Answer 1

Form of inflammatory arthritis caused by a build up of uric acid crystals in the joints (hyperuricemia)

Question 2

What are the risks for Gout?

Answer 2

Dehydration
Obesity
Physical stress
Being male
HF, HTN, Kidney disease

Question 3

What are the S/S of Gout?

Answer 3

Great toe pain, swelling, redness
Itchy peeling skin
Joint deformity
Yellow deposits in ear/joints of hands

Question 4

What is the treatment for Gout?

Answer 4

Acute: Pain meds, steroids
Colchicine:
Do not give with grapefruit juice
Watch for toxicity (tingling, twitching)
Causes diarrhea

Chronic:
Allopurinol
-Visual changes
-Decreases level of uric acid]
-Do not take w/ Vit. C
-Take w/ full glass of water
-Start low, gradually increase

Question 5

Client education for Gout?

Answer 5

Avoid foods high in purine
-Organ meats, red meat, seafood (shellfish, anchovies, sardines),
-Stay hydrated