RA Flashcards
Rheumatoid Arthritis
The body forms RF’s, antibodies, that attack healthy tissue
- Especially like to attack the synovium -> inflammation
- No cure
- treat early
Stress is a factor in
autoimmune disorders
Early RA
- affects joints symmetrically
- inflammation occurs where there is connective tissue
RA Assessment
Symptoms are vague
- Rapid and acute or slow and progressive
- Occurs in winter
- weakness, fatigue, wt loss, low-grade fever
- Symptoms of joint inflammation
Early presentation of joint inflammation
- UE joints: prox interphalangeal joints and metacarpophalangeal joints
- Slightly reddened, warm, tender, swollen, stiff
- Bilateral and symmetric
- Migratory arthritis
Late presentation of joint inflammation
- Joint inflammation worsens
- More joints become involved
- Gel phenomenon
- Joint effusions
- Fingers may appear spindle like
- Muscle atrophy
- Decreases ROM
- TMJ or cervical joints
Other assesssment
- Baker’s cysts (behind knee)
-
Systemic assessment
- Fever
- Fatigue
- Weakness
- Wt loss
- May occur as flareups/ aka exacerbations
- sq nodules
- vasculitits- kidney and lung failure
- footdrop
- parasthesisa
Lung invovement
Pleurisy
- Pneumonitis
- Interstitial fibrosis
- Pulm HTN
Heart Involvement
- Percarditis
- Myocarditis
Eye involvement
- Irtitis
- scleritis
Sjogren’s Syndrome
- Dry eyes, xerostemia , vagianl dryness
- Lubrication
Monitor quality of life
- mobility, fatiguw, physical appearnace
- support
- Exercbations
RA diagnostics
- RA Specific ( Anti-CCP)
- Autoimmune disorder : RF and ANA
- Inflammation: ESR and HsCRP
- CBC, XR, Ct-scan, Bone Scan
Arthrocentesis
- used to aspirate synovial fluid fro minflamed joint
- releievs pressure
- CLoudy fluid with increased WBC’s
- Post-care (24 hours)
Rest, ICe, oral analgesic
Interventions for RA
- Nurisng care, pharmacology, plasmapheresis, synovectomy, Total joint arthroplasty
Nursing interventions for pain
- Rest ( balanc & set priorities)
- Position
- ICe
- HEat/ paraffin
- Hot shower in morning
Nursing interventions for mobility
Occupational therapy
- assistive devices
Fatigue
Pace activities/ rest and activity
-set prriorities
psychosocial
- coping and body trauma
Interventions alternative
Acupuncture, hypnosis, stress management, proper nutrition, supplements, physical therapy
