Arthritis part one Flashcards
(10 cards)
Describe the primary characteristics of Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA).
Rheumatoid Arthritis is a systemic disease characterized by symmetrical polyarticular joint pain and inflammation, morning stiffness, malaise, fever, and fatigue. It primarily affects joints, but can also involve major organs.
How is the cause of RA currently understood?
The cause of RA is currently unknown, but it is considered an autoimmune disease where the immune system activity causes inflammation of the joint linings.
What is the primary goal of medical management for RA?
The primary goal of medical management for RA is to manage and control the disease to limit damage, as there is no cure.
Distinguish between first-line and second-line medications for RA in terms of their action and use.
First-line drugs (NSAIDs, aspirin, corticosteroids) are fast-acting and used in the initial phase to reduce inflammation, but they cannot prevent joint destruction. Second-line drugs (DMARDs like gold salts, methotrexate) are slow-acting, impinge on the disease course, and require careful monitoring due to toxic side effects.
What is the purpose of surgical interventions like synovectomy and arthrodesis in RA management?
Surgical interventions like synovectomy remove thickened synovium, tenosynovectomy removes diseased tendon sheaths, joint replacement procedures replace damaged joints, and arthrodesis fuses joints for structural stability.
When is a patient considered a potential candidate for occupational therapy intervention for RA?
A patient is a potential candidate for occupational therapy intervention if they are likely to experience a decline in occupational functioning due to pain, fatigue, loss of strength, endurance, ROM, and loss of coping skills related to RA.
What is the primary purpose of the initial interview or occupational history in an occupational therapy assessment for RA?
The primary purpose of the initial interview is to gain an in-depth understanding of the client’s occupational life, including the balance of rest and activity, the meaning of occupations, environmental supports and barriers, the effects of physical limitations, and their adjustment to the disability.
Explain why clinical observation of ADL performance might not always be an accurate reflection of a client’s functional abilities in their daily life.
Clinical observation of ADL may not be accurate because it doesn’t involve the same number of repetitions or duration as daily life, and the clinic environment is a different context than their home or typical setting.
What are some potential causes of limitations in Range of Motion (ROM) for a patient with RA?
Limitations in ROM for a patient with RA can be due to weakness, pain, contractures, joint deformity, and joint derangement.
List three common deformities of the hand and wrist seen in patients with RA.
Three common deformities of the hand and wrist in RA are wrist subluxation/migration, ulnar drift/deviation of the MCP joints, Swan-neck deformity, and Boutonniere deformity.
