General Nursing©

RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS

In patients with arthritis, nurses usually do the following:

• We assess joints and look for deformities contracture, immobility, inability to perform daily activities.
• We monitor vital signs and take note of weight changes, sensory disturbances, and level of pain. Then we administer analgesics, as ordered; watch for adverse effects.
• We even give meticulous skin care.
• We explain the diagnostic tests and procedures. We tell the patient that multiple blood samples allow firm diagnosis and accurate monitoring of therapy.
• We monitor duration of morning stiffness, which reflects disease's severity more accurately.
• We apply splints carefully and observe for pressure sores if patients are in traction or wearing splints.
• We make sure patient and family understand that RA is a chronic disease that requires major changes in life-style, and that there are no miracle cures.
• We urge patient to perform activities of daily living and control weight (obesity adds stress to joints).

Unlike osteoarthritis, arthritis such as rheumatoid is an inflammatory disease, which can affect people of all ages. It usually starts in the fingers and can affect several simultaneously. Some people may suffer from only one attack of this disease in their lives. In others, the disease may be long-term and progressive.

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