Nurse Document: Rheumatoid Arthritis

Nursing Care Plan for Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis is a disease which has long been known and spread throughout the world and involving all races and ethnic groups. Rheumatoid arthritis is often found in women, with the ratio of women to men is 3: 1. The tendency for women suffering from rheumatoid arthritis and remissions are common in women who are pregnant, this raises the suspicion of the presence of hormonal balance factor as one of the factors that affect this disease.

Most patients show symptoms of chronic intermittent disease, which if left untreated will cause damage to joints and progressive joint deformity that causes disability and even premature death.

Disturbed Body Image related to changes in the ability to perform the duties of a general, an increase in energy use, the imbalance of mobility.

Evidenced by:

Changes in the function of diseased body parts.
Focus on past strength and appearance.
Changes in lifestyle / physical ability to continue the role, job loss, dependence on the nearest person.
Changes in social engagement; a feeling of isolation. Feelings of helplessness, hopelessness.

Expected outcomes: The patient will :

Expressing increased confidence in the ability to cope with illness, changes in lifestyle, and possible limitations.
Develop a realistic plan for the future.

Intervention and Rationale

1. Encourage disclosure about the problem of the disease process, hope for the future.
R /: Give the opportunity to identify the fear / misconceptions and deal with it directly.

2. Discuss the meaning of loss / change in patients / people nearby. Ascertain how the patient's personal views on the functioning of day-to-day lifestyle.
R /: Identify how the disease affects self-perception and interaction with others will determine the need for intervention / counseling further.

3. Discuss the patient's perception of how the people closest to accept limitations.
R /: Gestures verbal / non-verbal people nearby can have a major influence on how the patient sees himself.

4. Acknowledge and accept the feelings of the bereaved, hostile, dependency.
R /: constant pain would be exhausting, and feelings of anger and hostility are common.

5. Pay attention to the behavior of withdrawing, denying use or too noticed a change.
R /: Can demonstrate emotional or maladaptive coping methods, requiring further intervention.

7. Involve patients in the treatment plan and schedule of activities.
R /: Increase the feeling of self-esteem, encourage independence, and encourage participation in therapy.

8. Assist in need of care required.
R /: Maintaining the appearance that can improve self-image.

9. Provide positive support when necessary.
R /: Allows patients to feel good about themselves. Reinforcing positive behavior. Increase confidence.

10. Collaboration: Refer to psychiatric counseling, eg specialist psychiatric nurse, psychologist.
R /: Patient / person nearby may need support for dealing with long-term process / incapacity.

11. Collaboration: Give medicines as directed, eg; antianxiety drugs and mood enhancer.
R /: It may be required at the time of the advent of the Great Depression, until the patient increases coping abilities more effectively.

Nursing Diagnosis for Rheumatoid Arthritis

Source : Disturbed Body Image related to Rheumatoid Arthritis - Nursing Care Plan (free-nursingcareplan.blogspot.com)

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a long-term autoimmune disorder that primarily affects joints. It typically results in warm, swollen, and painful joints. Pain and stiffness often worsen following rest. Most commonly, the wrist and hands are involved, with the same joints typically involved on both sides of the body. The disease may also affect other parts of the body, including skin, eyes, lungs, heart, nerves and blood. This may result in a low red blood cell count, inflammation around the lungs, and inflammation around the heart. Fever and low energy may also be present. Often, symptoms come on gradually over weeks to months.

While the cause of rheumatoid arthritis is not clear, it is believed to involve a combination of genetic and environmental factors. The underlying mechanism involves the body's immune system attacking the joints. This results in inflammation and thickening of the joint capsule. It also affects the underlying bone and cartilage. The diagnosis is made mostly on the basis of a person's signs and symptoms. X-rays and laboratory testing may support a diagnosis or exclude other diseases with similar symptoms. Other diseases that may present similarly include systemic lupus erythematosus, psoriatic arthritis, and fibromyalgia among others.