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Hesi Med Surg Study Guide

This document summarizes information about rheumatoid arthritis (RA), lupus erythematosus, and degenerative joint disease. It describes the pathology and symptoms of RA, including joint destruction and deformity. Diagnosis involves tests like rheumatoid factor. Treatment focuses on corticosteroids, splinting, and immobilization. Nursing interventions for RA include pain relief, rest, assistive devices, and posture. Lupus erythematosus can affect the skin or major organs. Risk factors include sunlight and stress. Nursing assesses for rashes, joint pain, or organ involvement and minimizes sun exposure. Degenerative joint disease involves cartilage degeneration and is influenced by obesity and overuse. Nursing

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95 views1 page

Hesi Med Surg Study Guide

This document summarizes information about rheumatoid arthritis (RA), lupus erythematosus, and degenerative joint disease. It describes the pathology and symptoms of RA, including joint destruction and deformity. Diagnosis involves tests like rheumatoid factor. Treatment focuses on corticosteroids, splinting, and immobilization. Nursing interventions for RA include pain relief, rest, assistive devices, and posture. Lupus erythematosus can affect the skin or major organs. Risk factors include sunlight and stress. Nursing assesses for rashes, joint pain, or organ involvement and minimizes sun exposure. Degenerative joint disease involves cartilage degeneration and is influenced by obesity and overuse. Nursing

Uploaded by

George
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HESI MED SURG STUDY GUIDE

Rheumatoid arthritis - The normal cartilage becomes soft, fissures and pitting occurs, and the cartilage
thins. Spurs form and inflammation sets in. the result is deformity marked by immobility, pain and muscle
spasm. Treatment is corticosteroids, splinting, immobilization

Diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis - Elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate, positive rheumatoid factor,
presence of antinuclear antibody, joint space narrowing indicated by arthroscopic exam, abnormal
synovial fluid indicated by arthrocentesis; C-reactive protein indicated by active inflammation

Synovial tissues - Line the bones of the joints. Inflammation of this lining causes destruction of tissue and
bone. Early detection of RA can decrease the amount of bone and joint destruction. Often the disease goes
into remission. Decreasing the amount of bone and joint destruction deduces the amount of disability

RA nursing plans ad interventions - Pain relief measures: moist heat; warm, moist compresses, whirlpool
baths, hot showers; diversionary activities: imaging, distraction, hypnosis, biofeedback; rest after activity;
avoid overexertion and to maintain proper posture and joint position; encourage use of assistive devices:
elevated toilet seat, shower chair, can, walker, wheelchair, reachers, adaptive clothing with Velcro
closures, straight-backed chair with elevated seat

Lupus erythematosus - Systemic, inflammatory, connective tissue disorder; autoimmune disorder; kidney
involvement is the leading cause of death

Discoid Lupus erythematosus - Affects skin only

Systemic Lupus erythematosus - Can cause major body organ and system failure; more prevalent that
DLE

Factors that trigger lupus - Sunlight, stress, pregnancy, drugs

Activity recommendations for RA - Do not exercise painful, swollen joints; do not exercise any joint to
the point of pain; perform exercises slowly and smoothly; avoid jerky movements

Key management of Lupus erythematosus - Avoiding sunlight

Nursing assessment for DLE - Dry, scaly rash on face or upper body (butterfly rash)

Nursing assessment for SLE - Joint pain and decreased mobility, fever, nephritis, pleural effusion,
pericarditis, abdominal pain, photosensitivity

Nursing plans and interventions for Lupus erythematosus - Avoid prolonged exposure to the sun; clean
skin with milk soap; administration of steroids

Degenerative joint disease - Noninflammatory arthritis; degeneration of cartilage, wear and tear process;
affects one or two joints; occurs symmetrically; obesity and overuse are predisposing factors

Nursing assessment for Degenerative joint disease - Joint pain that increases with activity and improves
with rest; morning stiffness; asymmetry of affected joints; crepitus; limited movement; visible joint
abnormalities; joint enlargement and bony nodules

Nursing plans and interventions for Degenerative joint disease - Weight reduction diet; excessive use of
the involved joint aggravates pain and may accelerate degeneration; correct posture and body mechanics;

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