How do you assess a patient with rheumatoid arthritis?
How do you assess a patient with rheumatoid arthritis?
Measures used to assess patient status in RA include laboratory tests, radiographs, formal joint assessments, physical measures of functional status, global measures, and patient self-report questionnaires.
How do you assess for arthritis?
Your doctor will:
- Consider your complete medical history. This will include a description of your symptoms.
- Do a physical exam. Your doctor will check for swollen joints, tenderness, redness, warmth, or loss of motion in the joints.
- Use imaging tests like X-rays.
- Test your joint fluid.
- Test your blood or urine.
Which laboratory test would the nurse review for a client suspected to have rheumatoid arthritis?
C-Reactive Protein (CRP). Your doctor may also order a C-reactive protein test, to look for this protein in the blood that indicates chronic inflammation is present, such as occurs with rheumatoid arthritis.
What additional information is needed to assess the patient with rheumatoid arthritis?
As part of the initial evaluation, laboratory tests should include a complete blood count, and acute phase reactants, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) or C-reactive protein (CRP), as well as a rheumatoid factor (RF) or a test for anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (anti-CCP).
What are the most common treatments for arthritis?
Commonly used arthritis medications include:
- Painkillers. These medications help reduce pain, but have no effect on inflammation.
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).
- Counterirritants.
- Disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs).
- Biologic response modifiers.
- Corticosteroids.
Why are nurses important in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis?
Early diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis is important to manage symptoms. A combination of biologics and non-drug management of rheumatoid arthritis can slow progression of joint damage and improve quality of life. Nurses play a major interdisciplinary role in health education and management of rheumatoid arthritis in the community.
How to diagnose RA in a nursing home?
Identify appropriate nursing diagnoses RA signs and symptoms vary with disease severity. Note joint swelling and pain, morning stiffness, and deformities. Pain and deformities may limit the patient’s ability to perform activities of daily living (ADLs), which may lead to frustration, low self-esteem, and poor quality of life.
What was the treatment for RA before 1980?
Before 1980, the pyramid approach to RA treatment started with aspirin or other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs), such as methotrexate, were reserved for patients with severe disease or those who didn’t respond to conservative treatment.
How does early diagnosis of Ra improve quality of life?
Early diagnosis (within 6 months of RA symptom onset) coupled with aggressive treatment reduces the risk of joint damage and disability, helps maintain joint integrity, and enhances productivity and quality of life. However, with no diagnostic gold standard available, early diagnosis can be challenging.