Rheumatic Disorders Flashcards
Arthritis and several other conditions that affect joints, tendons, muscles, ligaments, and bones
Rheumatic Diseases
RA and gout risk factors
Obesity (#1), age (older adults), genetics, gender (women)
RA triad of symptoms indicative of disease progression and rheumatoid nodules
Pain, swelling, stiffness of joints that is worse in the mornings
T or F: RA can be cured with medications
False; RA can be managed, but there is no cure
Ideal medication for RA management
Methotrexate
Methotrexate consideration
Increased risk for infection; teach pt. To stay up to date with pneumonia vaccine
Methotrexate patient education
Blood work regularly, discontinue methotrexate 3 months prior to planned pregnancy
Besides methotrexate, what other medications can be given to manage RA?
Steroids
Steroid side effects
Immunosuppression, easy bruising, buffalo hump, moon face
Steroid patient education
Gradually taper off
Syndrome that accompanies immune disorders such as RA and lupus, characterized by excessive dryness, particularly of mucus membranes and moisture secreting glands of the mouth and eyes initially (tears, saliva)
Sjogren syndrome
Drug of choice for Sjogren syndrome
Pilocarpine
Non-pharmacological management of Sjogren syndrome
Mouth swabs, eye drops, hard candy
Patient education for RA
Protect synovial joint
RA clinical considerations
Have the patient lie prone, no pillows under knees, no neck flexion, encourage positions of extension, balance work and rest, NEVER exercise to point of fatigue
Inflammatory diseases caused by uric acid crystals that build up in the joints, usually affecting the big toe
Gout
Where does uric acid come from?
Purine from foods that we eat
S/S of gout
Pain and swelling primarily in the big toe
Foods to limit in the patient with gout
Foods high in purine such as alcohol, fish, red meat, and organ meats (liver)
Patient education for gout
Avoid foods high in purine, avoid fasting (due to fad starvation), stay hydrated (2-3 mL/day)
Gout medications
Allopurinol, colchicine, probenecid
Prophylactic medication for gout attacks
Allopurinol
Medication for acute gout attacks/crisis
Colchicine
Arthritis that affects the spine
Ankylosing Spondylitis
Arthritis in children
Juvenile arthritis
Age-related arthritis often affecting the fingers, knees, and hips
Osteoarthritis
Arthritis occurring in people with psoriasis affecting the skin, joints, and areas where tissues attach to bone
Psoriatic arthritis
Pain or swelling in the joint that is caused by an infection in our body
Reactive arthritis
Autoimmune arthritis affecting the joints, bones, and internal organs
Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)
Symptoms in Gout vs. RA
Gout symptoms are unilateral, RA symptoms are bilateral
Gout pain vs. RA pain
Gout pain typically starts in one big toe with flare ups typically occurring at night with remission periods; RA pain typically occurs in the morning and is improved with gentle movements although symptoms gradually worsen over time
Bumps around joints as a result of uric acid crystals
Tophi
Fever is common with _____ and fatigue is common with _____
Gout; RA
