Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Assignment 1

Goals/ Treatment Plan

Devise a problem list for Ellen

Ellen is a 58 year old lady. She is suffering various problems that are mentioned in a list form below;

She is diagnosed with a right shoulder replacement

She has rheumatoid arthritis

She needs assistance washing and brushing her hair due to minimal movement of her right arm.

She has difficulties in using cane, because she used her right side to support the cane.

She is now unable to drive because she cannot use her right arm to shift gear.

Since she is right hand dominant, her all coordination is impaired due to her right shoulder.

Over all her all daily tasks are getting difficult for her

Write a List of Ellen's strengths

Ellen has a strong will power

She is a pleasant and cooperative woman

She has no cognitive, perceptual, visual, sensory or hearing defects

Her favorite leisure activities do not require any arm movements, since those activities are playing crossword puzzle and bingo.

She is an independent woman, and likes to do everything herself.

Ellen is able to perform her toilet hygiene and feed herself independently.

What specific goals would you and Ellen set for occupational therapy given to her short length of stay?

Considering her short length of stay, Ellen should remain there with patience so her therapy can be evaluated accurately in order to have suitable medications. She must practice to use cane from her left hand and carry out all activities independently as much as possible. Further, despite she is not feeling hungry, but she should eat a considerable amount of meals so she does not feel weak and dizzy.

How might Ellen utilize her strengths to maximize her potential while at the hospital?

Ellen is a strong and independent woman, thus she should work to remain strong with her will power. She must keep herself busy with her most favorite leisure activities that are playing cross word puzzle and bingo.

Write out a specific treatment plan for Ellen including frequency and duration

Ellen should undergo a regular physiotherapy for her shoulder after the surgery. The frequency of physiotherapy should be on daily basis. Moreover, the duration of this treatment shall be one hour at least.

Safety/Precautions

What are the precautions to which Ellen must adhere?

Ellen must monitor her performance after the surgery, incase if any pain gets elevated then immediate contact should be made to the physician. She must not try to drive the car until an official permission is granted by the physician. Similarly, any hard task should not be carried out that required a lot of effort. Ellen must make use of her left hand in most activities.

Why are these precautions necessary?

These precautions are necessary so her conditions do not get any worse. Since she is suffering from arthritis, and already a knee and left hip replacement, she must take extra care.

How might you explain the adherence to precautions to Ellen so she can better follow them?

Ellen should be told that the more precautions she takes, the easier and pain-less life will ...