Rheumatic Disorders

Question 1

Arthritis and several other conditions that affect joints, tendons, muscles, ligaments, and bones

Answer 1

Rheumatic Diseases

Question 2

RA and gout risk factors

Answer 2

Obesity (#1), age (older adults), genetics, gender (women)

Question 3

RA triad of symptoms indicative of disease progression and rheumatoid nodules

Answer 3

Pain, swelling, stiffness of joints that is worse in the mornings

Question 4

T or F: RA can be cured with medications

Answer 4

False; RA can be managed, but there is no cure

Question 5

Ideal medication for RA management

Answer 5

Methotrexate

Question 6

Methotrexate consideration

Answer 6

Increased risk for infection; teach pt. To stay up to date with pneumonia vaccine

Question 7

Methotrexate patient education

Answer 7

Blood work regularly, discontinue methotrexate 3 months prior to planned pregnancy

Question 8

Besides methotrexate, what other medications can be given to manage RA?

Answer 8

Steroids

Question 9

Steroid side effects

Answer 9

Immunosuppression, easy bruising, buffalo hump, moon face

Question 10

Steroid patient education

Answer 10

Gradually taper off

Question 11

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)

Answer 11

Sjogren syndrome

Question 12

Drug of choice for Sjogren syndrome

Answer 12

Pilocarpine

Question 13

Non-pharmacological management of Sjogren syndrome

Answer 13

Mouth swabs, eye drops, hard candy

Question 14

Patient education for RA

Answer 14

Protect synovial joint

Question 15

RA clinical considerations

Answer 15

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

Question 16

Inflammatory diseases caused by uric acid crystals that build up in the joints, usually affecting the big toe

Answer 16

Gout

Question 17

Where does uric acid come from?

Answer 17

Purine from foods that we eat

Question 18

S/S of gout

Answer 18

Pain and swelling primarily in the big toe

Question 19

Foods to limit in the patient with gout

Answer 19

Foods high in purine such as alcohol, fish, red meat, and organ meats (liver)

Question 20

Patient education for gout

Answer 20

Avoid foods high in purine, avoid fasting (due to fad starvation), stay hydrated (2-3 mL/day)

Question 21

Gout medications

Answer 21

Allopurinol, colchicine, probenecid

Question 22

Prophylactic medication for gout attacks

Answer 22

Allopurinol

Question 23

Medication for acute gout attacks/crisis

Answer 23

Colchicine

Question 24

Arthritis that affects the spine

Answer 24

Ankylosing Spondylitis

Question 25

Arthritis in children

Answer 25

Juvenile arthritis

Question 26

Age-related arthritis often affecting the fingers, knees, and hips

Answer 26

Osteoarthritis

Question 27

Arthritis occurring in people with psoriasis affecting the skin, joints, and areas where tissues attach to bone

Answer 27

Psoriatic arthritis

Question 28

Pain or swelling in the joint that is caused by an infection in our body

Answer 28

Reactive arthritis

Question 29

Autoimmune arthritis affecting the joints, bones, and internal organs

Answer 29

Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)

Question 30

Symptoms in Gout vs. RA

Answer 30

Gout symptoms are unilateral, RA symptoms are bilateral

Question 31

Gout pain vs. RA pain

Answer 31

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

Question 32

Bumps around joints as a result of uric acid crystals

Answer 32

Tophi

Question 33

Fever is common with _____ and fatigue is common with _____

Answer 33

Gout; RA