N213: Health Differences Across the Life Span 3

N213: Health Differences Across the Lifespan 3 Study Guide • Teach stretching and range-of-motion exercises; swimming is also helpful • Refer to physical therapy • Provide a firmmattress and teach patient to sleep in the prone position; use pillows and splints for positioning • Encourage child to participate in usual activities when stable to avoid image or self-esteem issues • Teach family to treat the child as normal as possible; encourage school attendance and extra- curricular activities • Refer to JRA support groups and community based activity groups Expected outcomes for juvenile rheumatoid arthritis: • Verbalizes or demonstrates relief of pain and increased comfort • Demonstrates use of diversionary techniques for pain and discomfort • Patient tolerates activity • Maintains positive body image • Patient maintains adequate organ functions • Patient remains free of skin lesions and skin breakdown • Patient and parents verbalize understanding of disease, medications, and treatment plan Osteoporosis This condition causes the bones to lose their structure. The cause of this condition is not known, but may have contributing factors including genetics, calcium loss, hyperthyroidism, poor diet, renal disease, and steroid use. The bones become brittle and are more subject to breaks. It is more common in women than men and children. It mostly affects the bones in the wrists, spine, and hips. Breastfeeding, steroids, alcohol, nicotine, caffeine, tetracycline, and heparin are all drugs that can increase the chances of bone loss. Postmenopausal women experience extreme pain from the condition, especially if they breastfed their babies. Osteoporosis may have a genetic link in the marker that helps the body use vitamin D, or the vitamin D receptor gene (VDR). People with this gene have certain risk factors, such as advanced age, estrogen deficiency, smoking, drinking, and thin stature. Signs and symptoms of osteoporosis: • Pain • Muscle spasms • Kyphosis/hump back/dowagers hump • Reduced height • Decreased movement in the spine • Compression fractures ©2017 Achieve Test Prep Page 122 of 204