Arthritis Flashcards
(28 cards)
What is a rheumatic disease?
Any disease or condition involving the musculoskeletal system.
What is arthritis?
Inflammation of one or more joints. Categorized as inflammatory or noninflammatory.
What is noninflammatory arthritis?
Localized arthritis such as osteoarthritis and is not systemic.
What is inflammatory arthritis?
Rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematous (SLE) (both autoimmune disorders)
What is osteoarthritis?
Progressive deterioration and loss of cartilage in one or more joints.
Some causes of primary osteoarthritis?
Aging, genetic changes, obesity, and/or smoking.
Which joints are commonly affected by OA?
Weight bearing joints (knees and hips), the vertebral column, and the hands.
What is secondary osteoarthritis caused by?
Rheumatoid arthritis and other musculoskeletal conditions.
Typical patient with osteoarthritis?
Middle-aged or older woman who reports chronic joint pain and stiffness.
What is a drug of choice for OA?
Tylenol (acetaminophen) because OA is not a primary anti-inflammatory disorder.
What kinds of exercises are recommended for OA patients?
Minimal weight bearing such as swimming.
What position are patients encouraged to keep their legs after hip replacement to avoid hip dislocation?
Abducted, usually with a couple of bed pillows or a wedge pillow between their knees.
What should you do if you find the calf of the leg that had hip surgery on feels cool and has weak pulses?
Assess the other leg.
Is osteoarthritis a disease that affects joints bilaterally or unilaterally?
Unilaterally.
When would you not want to use COX-2 inhibitor (Celecoxib)??
If the patient has hypertension, renal disease, or cardiovascular disease.
Why is Lovenox (enoxaparin) used after hip replacement surgery?
To prevent clots from forming.
If a patient is no longer limping, will they still nneed to use a cane or sit on seats that are higher than normal?
No. They no longer need an ambulatory/assistive device and may be permitted to sit in chairs of normal height, use regular toilets, and drive a car.
If a patient is no longer limping, will they still need to use a cane or sit on seats that are higher than normal?
No. They no longer need an ambulatory/assistive device and may be permitted to sit in chairs of normal height, use regular toilets, and drive a car.
What drugs increase the risk for clotting and are discontinued about a week before hip surgery?
NSAIDs, Vitamin C, Vitamin E, and hormone replacement therapy
If a patient is on Coumadin after hip replacement surgery, which labs should be monitored?
PT and INR
What is the proper way to do a quadriceps-setting exercise for a post-op hip surgery patient?
Straighten the legs and push the back of the knees in to the bed.
If a patient had hip surgery, should they cross their legs at any time?
No. It is important to prevent twisting of the body or crossing the legs to prevent hip dislocation.
What does a CPM machine do?
Keeps the prosthetic knee in motion and prevents formation of scar tissue, which could decrease knee mobility and increase post-op pain.
After knee surgery, a patient’s right lower leg is twice the size of the left. What should you do?
Assess respiratory. A common complication after knee replacement is formation of a thrombus below the surgical site. It can lead to a pulmonary embolus.
