Rheumatoid Arthritis Flashcards
0
Q
Rheumatoid Arthritis
-Risk Factors
A
- Women Between the ages of 40-60 yrs
- Family Hx
- Heavy Smokers
1
Q
Rheumatoid Arthritis
-Etiology
A
- Combination of:
- Genetic, environmental, hormonal, and reproductive factors
- Ebstein-Barr Virus T - Long-term exposure to unidentified antigen causes immune response in genetically susceptible host
2
Q
RA
-Characteristic Manifestations
A
- Characterized by remissions and exacerbations
- Tender, swollen, red, warm, “boggy” joints
- Symmetric inflammation
- Disease progresssion is fastest in 1st 6 years, then slows down
3
Q
Rheumatoid Arthritis
-Systemic Manifestations (Extra-Articular)
A
- Fatigue
- Loss of appetite & Weight loss
- Nonspecific aching and stiffness
- Low grade fever
- Anemia resistant to iron therapy
4
Q
Rheumatoid Arthritis
-Joint Manifestations
A
- Clients report Joint swelling, stiffness, warmth, tenderness & pain
- Proximal interphalangeal (PIP) & Metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joints of the fingers, wrists, knees, ankles and toes are most often involved
- Morning stiffness lasting >1hr
5
Q
Rheumatoid Arthritis
-Swan-neck deformity
A
- Characterized by hyperextension of the PIP joints w/ compensatory flexion of the distal interphalangeal joints
6
Q
RA
-Cause of Deformities
A
- Deformities are caused by the development of a PANNUS
- Pannus = longterm, severe proliferation of the synovial intimal layer
7
Q
Rheumatoid Arthritis
-Extra-Articular Manifestations
A
- Rheumatoid Nodules in the
- heart, lungs, intestinal tract, & dura - Subcutaneous nodules
- Pleural effusion
- Vasculitis, pericarditis
- Splenomegaly
8
Q
Rheumatoid Arthritis
-Effects on Perfusion
A
- Increased risk of CAD, MI & Death
9
Q
Rheumatoid Arthritis
-Goals of Therapy
A
- Relive pain
- Reduce inflammation
- Slow or stop joint damage
- Improve well-being & ability to function
10
Q
Rheumatoid Arthritis
-Diagnostic Tests
A
- Lab tests for Rheumatoid factors and ESR
- usually elevated in RA - CBC to ID anemia (wbc)
- Cyclic citrullinated peptide **
- New test for early detection - Synovial fluid Exam (shows inflammatory changes)
- X-ray
- Most specific test.. doesn’t show many changes early in RA
11
Q
Rheumatoid Arthritis
-Pharmacology
A
- Aspirin & NSAIDS
- Help with Inflammation but NO EFFECT on disease progression - Low-dose corticosteroids
- Pain and inflammation relief. SLOW progression of RA
12
Q
Corticosteroid
-PT Teaching
A
- Pt’s may experience weight gain
- Increase Blood sugar & decreases Immune response
- Long term use causes CUSHING SYNDROME
13
Q
Rheumatoid Arthritis
-Anti-rheumatic Drugs
A
- Gold salts
- Make patient very tired - Antimalarial agents
- Plaquenil - irreversible vision loss - check eyes every 3 months - Sulfasalazine
14
Q
Rheumatoid Arthritis
-Nursing Care for NSAIDS
A
- Monitor for bleeding, bruising unexpectedly
2. Stomach irritation