Rheumatoid Arthritis

Question 1

What are the characteristics of RA?

Answer 1

RA is global, and effects synovial lining of most joints

Affects many joints, usually bilateral

Prolonged morning stiffness, redness, warmth, swelling

Feelings of fatigue, illness, may have multi-system involvement

Question 2

Onset of RA

Answer 2

May develop suddenly

Question 3

RA causes what in the joints?

Answer 3

Inflammatory synovitis, irreversible damage to cartilage & bone

Question 4

RA management in the active stage

Answer 4

Patient education

Joint protection & Energy conservation

Joint mobility

Exercise (encourage active exercises through the greatest range, within tolerable range)

Functional training (modify ADL to protect joints)

Question 5

RA Precautions in the active stage

Answer 5

joint laxity

Question 6

RA Contraindications in the active stage

Answer 6

STRETCHING

Question 7

Management in the Subacute and Chronic stages

Answer 7

Joint protection & activity modification

Flexibility & strength (aquatics is GREAT)

Cardiopulmonary endurance

Question 8

RA is what type of disease?

Answer 8

Autoimmune