Rheumatoid Arthritis Case Study

Words: 850
Pages: 4
Open Document
Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is a chronic auto immune, systemic inflammatory disease. It attacks peripheral joint and the surrounding muscle, tendons, ligaments and blood vessels. It can also produce inflammation in the lungs, pericardium, pleura and nodular lesions under the skin. (Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins, 2013). RA leads to damage of connective tissues and the synovial membrane in the joints, and can cause permeant damage. The symptoms of RA can vary from person to person. It can be minor and cause only minimal joint discomfort to pain that it is so sever it can be crippling. Patients can experience fatigue, fever and weight loss. (Anderson, 1995). Pain can be worse in the morning when first arising out of bed. There are multiple diagnostic …show more content…
(Rosdahl & Kowaiski,2012). Also the autoimmune suppressants will make patients more susceptible to infections. This disease of inflammation can cause chronic pain or total stiffening of joints make ADLs virtually impossible. The need to have help from others and lose your independence can also lead to depression. Some complications from RA include: joint deformities, vasculitis, pericarditis, and peripheral neuropathy.(Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins, 2013). When a nurse is planning the care of a patient they include nursing diagnosis. Although there are many to choose from here are a few along with some interventions that could help somebody coping with rheumatoid arthritis?
1. Acute pain related to RA as evidenced by verbal …show more content…
Dressing self-care deficit related to muscoskeltal impairment as evidenced by not be able to button shirt and zip zipper on pants.
For this NANDA the nurse should come up with ways for the patient to be able to perform his own dressing routine. Such as providing clothes that do not require buttoning or pants that have elastic bands to eliminate zippers. Provide shoes that are slip-ons and do not have laces on them. These simple activities are important for the patient to preform because it will help maintain movement and the functions of joints. This will also help to enhance their self-esteem and stay as independcy.
3. Disturbed body image related to deformity of the hands as evidenced by intentional hiding of hands and frequent comments of the physical manifestations.
The nurse can provide emotional support and encouragement to improve the patient’s self-concept. Promote motivation to preform ADLs. Help to focus on the individual’s strength. Also encouraging to engage in social activities to keep from feeling isolated.
4. Risk for injury related to loss of full ROM as evidence by unsteady gait.
Teach patient to keep furniture against walls and floors clear from obstruction such as throw rugs or shoes. Have patients dangle after laying down. Keep all assisted walking devices within
Show More

Related Documents: Rheumatoid Arthritis Case Study

Essay about Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic condition that is characterized by persistent inflammation of a number of joints. Over a prolonged period of time, this inflammation results in irreversible joint damage. Although its cause is unknown, it is usually thought to be auto-immune disorder in which the immune system starts to attack the body's own tissue. Rheumatoid Arthritis has a world-wide distribution and affects 0.5-1%, with a female preponderance, of the population( Kumar & Clarck's, Clinical Medicine)…

Words 1647 - Pages 7

Periodontitis Research Paper

system starts attacking healthy tissue. Periodontitis can have a greatly affect this condition. There have been studies performed that show how periodontitis can cause rheumatoid arthritis symptoms to be more severe when compared to those without gum disease or those that have mild periodontitis. Researchers are unclear as to why periodontitis has this kind of impact on rheumatoid arthritis, but one theory is that your joints and gums have similar cells, which cause them to react the same way to an…

Words 412 - Pages 2

Rheumatoid Arthritis and Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate Essay

complaint osteoarthritis (OA) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are possible diagnoses. Both diseases can lead to joint and bone destruction, nodules, and lesions. I would evaluate the skin for temperature, symmetry, and color. Warmth, redness, and joint deformities are indicative of both diseases. Next, I would examine the respiratory system. RA can involve the lungs and progress to pleural effusions, interstitial fibrosis, nodules, and pneumonia (MEDSCAPE). A small study found a high prevalence of pulmonary…

Words 965 - Pages 4

Essay on Rheumatoid Arthritis and Publishing Asia Pty

with rheumatoid arthritis? A qualitative study involving French nurses Estelle Fall, PhD,1,2 Nadia Chakroun, PhD,1,2 Nathalie Dalle, PhD3 and Marie Izaute, PhD1,2 1 Department of Psychology, Clermont University, 2Social and COgnitive Psychology LAboratory (LAPSCO), UMR 6024, CNRS, and 3Clinical Investigation Center, University Hospital Center, Clermont-Ferrand, France Abstract This French study explored nurses’ involvement in patient education for patients with rheumatoid arthritis. The study design…

Words 5886 - Pages 24

Gigantic Mimiviruses and Their Role in Medicine Essay examples

the culprit, triggering an immune response that led to arthritis in mice. Meanwhile, blood tests from a small group of people with arthritis suggest they are more likely than healthy people to carry antibodies to a particular mimivirus protein that is of the type that comes under attack in the condition. Though bigger studies in people are now needed, the findings suggest mimiviruses could trigger some human cases of rheumatoid arthritis, which is caused by the body's immune system attacking…

Words 511 - Pages 3

Health And Social Care M3

P5&M3 Explain the physiological and physical changes which may be part of the ageing process. Your individual may have already gone through these processes, you will need to research the relevant information if you chose individual may not be at this stage. P5&M3 Cardiovascular system (Coronary Heart Disease) Coronary heart disease is one of the biggest killers in the UK, CHD causes around 94,000 deaths in the UK each year. Coronary heart disease is the term which describes what happens…

Words 1494 - Pages 6

Senior Health And The Healthcare Industry

these symptoms. While there is no cure for Parkinson’s, there are various treatments that can slow the rate of growth of the symptoms. Some of the treatments available are exercise, physical, speech, language and occupational therapies, and in some cases surgery. Late breaking news has just been released that states that new research found that when certain neurons…

Words 3707 - Pages 15

Lyme Disease Case Study

Case Study C Maggie Moon University of Maryland University College When the climate begins to change and temperatures drop, we know winter is soon to follow bringing an involuntary time for inside captivity, but once the temperatures become warm again, people emerge from their winter slumber to enjoy the great outdoors. Unfortunately, there is a tiny and dangerous insect that likes to come out and enjoy the warmer weather too-- ticks. In the early 1970’s, strange cases of adolescent rheumatoid arthritis…

Words 1791 - Pages 8

Rheumatoid Arthritis Research Paper

Arthritis is broadly defined as painful inflammation of the joints. There are approximately 100 different types of arthritis, such as osteoarthritis, psoriatic arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disease that is the most chronic joint condition and affects approximately 33 million people. Osteoarthritis involves the whole joint including cartilage, bone, ligament and muscle, with changes such as joint space narrowing (Bennell & Hinman, 2011). It results from…

Words 1643 - Pages 7

Appraisal of published research Essay

quantitative study is titled, ‘One year outcomes of a randomised controlled trial of an educational-behavioural joint protection programme for people with rheumatoid arthritis’ and is written by A. Hammond and K. Freeman. According to Parahoo (1997) there is no right or wrong title only a misleading or confusing one. The research title is unclear, unnecessary information is included. ‘A study of an educational-behavioural joint protection programme for people with rheumatoid arthritis,’ would be more…

Words 2168 - Pages 9