Nursing 213

N213: Health Differences Across the Lifespan 3 Study Guide Nursing interventions for gout: • Assess pain frequently and give pain medications per MD order: o Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications: acetaminophen, indomethacin, and colchicine; narcotic medications are usually ineffective for gout pain • Encourage rest during acute flare-ups • Apply ice to affected joints • Encourage gentle stretching and range of motion exercises • Teach patient and family about strict adherence to gout diet; low purines (organ meats, cured foods, alcohol use, and canned anchovies) • Refer to physical therapy • Stress the importance of increased fluids to decrease uric acid levels • Teach patient and family about importance of compliance with medications, side effects, and safety issues Nursing interventions for gout: • Verbalizes increased comfort and pain relief • Demonstrates increased mobility • Demonstrates compliance with diet and medications • Verbalizes understanding of disease process, diet, medications, and treatment plan Rheumatoid Arthritis and Systemic Lupus Erythematosus This is a systemic type of arthritis that stems from the body’s own immune system. It is the most common type of arthritis, occurs in mid-life, and results in chronic disease. Some people have remissions, but during a flare-up they experience severe joint pain, fatigue, immobility, and stiffness of the joints. Females are more likely to suffer from this disease and certain conditions are thought to “set-off” the immune response including virus (Eppstein Barr, etc), stressful situations, smoking, and genetics. The disease begins with an inflammation of the synovial membranes in the joints, which leads to edema, congestion, and immobility of the joint. Fluid builds up and causes crepitus in the joint. Patients may even display heat and redness during a flare-up. Treatment is aimed at reducing the inflammatory response in the body and improving the quality of life for the patient since the disease is chronic. Another manifestation of rheumatoid arthritis is systemic lupus erythematosus or SLE. The body’s immune system produces too many B-lymphocytes that attack the body’s cells. It causes major inflammation anywhere in the body and can cause organ failure. This disease includes rheumatoid arthritis, but these patients experience a full-range of symptoms all over the body. It is an auto- immune disorder and the body and immune system attacks itself. This condition has periods of flare- ups and then goes into remission for a period of time. These can be controlled with certain medications. If this disease is not controlled with proper medications, severe complications could result including renal failure, heart failure, lung disease, and death.

©2018

Achieve

Page 117

of 203