Sally has been recently diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis. She wants to know more about it. She comes to you as the clinical educator of the health clinic. What can you tell her?
a. What is it?
b. How does it affect the body?
c. How is it treated?
d. What is the prognosis for Sally?
Students' answers should include the following:
a. Autoimmune reaction of the synovial tissue
Crippling disease is not completely understood.
Systemic inflammatory disorder of the connective tissue and joints
b. Has remissions and exacerbations with disability to the joints as well as systemic issues
Affects children and adults
Seventy percent to 80% of those affected have an antibody called the rheumatoid factor.
Some have difficulty responding to therapy.
Synovial fluid looks cloudy, milky, or yellow.
Joints are damaged, sore, inflamed, and red; inflammation causes more joint damage.
c. Drug therapy includes NSAIDs, steroids, immunosuppressants, TNF-alpha inhibitors, and drugs from some other classes.
d. RA is not a curable disease, only treatment to minimize damage and relieve symptoms.
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