Nursing Assignment

Nursing Assignment

Case Scenario

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic and systemic inflammatory disease of unknown etiology characterized by pain, swelling, tenderness, and deformity of the joints. Patients diagnosed with RA have arthritis in 3 or more joints (indicated by swelling, tenderness, warmth, pain, and decreased range of motion), laboratory results indicating elevated serum rheumatoid factor (RF), fatigue, and the presence of subcutaneous rheumatoid nodules.

In this three generation genogram, patients with RA are at increased risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD), likely due to a combination of factors, including clustering of traditional risk factors, which may be exacerbated by the disease and its treatment and due to inflammation. RA is incurable and usually progressive, although some RA patients have a short and limited disease course. RA patients usually require lifelong treatment by a multispecialty team of clinicians, including specialists in rheumatology, orthopedics, infectious disease, cardiology, pulmonary, nephrology, and ophthalmology.

RA is a widespread disease. Global prevalence is about 1%, with women affected up to 3 times more often than men.

Communicating and Educating the Patient with Rheumatoid Arthritis

RA is an incurable and usually progressive disease that results in joint deformity and impaired function. Patients with RA who lack adequate knowledge of their condition and its treatment are less able to participate in decisions regarding treatment options, adhere to complex treatment regimens, and monitor their own condition. Patient education for the patient with RA is indicated to the following.

Improve patient knowledge regarding the disease and its treatment, enabling active participation by the patient in disease management and enhancing the patient's self-efficacy and ability to cope with the condition.

Decrease disability, pain, and depression.

Improve adherence to prescribed pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic treatments, including exercise.

Optimize functional status.

Improve health outcomes and quality of life.

Approaches to Health Promotion

Under the above case scenario, Health Promotion must work as a mechanism of ...