SCF Level 2 Exam 4 Rheumatic Disorders Questions And Answers Graded A+

What is the goal of medical treatment in RA - decrease joint pain and swelling, achieve clinical remission, decrease liklihood of joint deformity and minimize disability When do we typically see an onset of rheumatic diseases? - between the 3rd and 6th generation they can be acute, sudden or insidious (no known cause) Do rheumatic diseases affect males or females more? - women are 2 - 9x more commonly affected by rheumatic diseases than men Remission vs. Exacerbation - remission: a period when disease symptoms are reduced or absent exacerbation: a period when symptoms occur or increase Monoarticular vs Polyarticular - Affecting 1 joint vs Affecting multiple joints What are some assessment and diagnostic tests used for rheumatic diseases? - general health hx, past health hx and onset of symptoms - do you have any fatigue? previous treatments and their effectiveness gait, posture and general muscoskeletal structure are observed gross deformities notedarhtrocentesis: aspiration of synovial fluid in joints - yellow, purulent = infection (clear fluid is good) X-rays, MRI, CT scans tissue biopsies & blood tests What is the medical management for rheumatic diseases in general? - relieving pain & discomfort medications: NSAIDs & DMARDs decreasing fatigue and promoting restful sleep SLEEP IS IMPORTANT increasing mobility and facilitating self care - PT, OT, active ROM heat applications are helpful in relieving pain and stiffness - 20 minutes of application Important lab values to consider for rheumatic diseases - WBC: decrease may be seen with SLE Rheumatoid Factor: present in up to 80% of people with RA Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR): increased ESR indicates inflammation Antinuclear Antibody (ANA): should be negativepositive test associated with SLE and RA C-Reactive Protein (CRP): positive indicates inflammation Immunoglobulin Electrophoresis: elevated levels in people with autoimmune disorders Creatinine: increased by indicate kidney damage in SLE What is rheumatoid arthritis? - Systemic, autoimmune condition involving multiple joints What are rheumatic diseases? - encompass immune, degenerative, inflammatory and systemic conditions that affect the joints, muscles and soft tissues of the body What is the pathophysiology of rheumatoid arthritis? - autoimmune reaction occurs in the synovial tissue. RA synovium breaks down collagen, causing edema, proliferation of the synovial membrane --> leading to pannus formation pannus destroys cartilage and erodes bone What are some risk factors for rheumatoid arthritis? - family hx of RA female sex obesity heavy smokers environmental exposure What are some clinical manifestations of RA? - symmetric joint pain morning joint stiffness >1 hrswelling, warmth, edema, erythema and lack of function spongy or boggy tissue deformities of the hands - ulnar deviation, boutonniere deformity, swan neck deformity deformities of ankles and feet - subluxation, hallux valgus (bunion) Is RA a systemic disease? - yes, it has extra-articular manifestations weight loss fatigue anemia lymph node enlargement raynaud's syndrome: bluish tint to fingers sjorgren's syndrome: dry eyes & mouth rheumatoid nodules in advanced RA arteritis neurphathy pericarditis splenomegaly