Nursing Care for Rheumatoid Arthritis

 Nursing foals for working with those with Rheumatoid Arthritis are to achieve satisfactory pain management, have minimal loss of function in affected joints, support therapy goals, emotional and functional support, and help maintain independence and ability to care for self for as long as possible. 

Rheumatoid arthritis isn’t preventable, but when it is diagnosed a early treatment can prevent functional loss and joint damage. Nurses can be involved in community awareness to support early detection and advocate for patients utilizing resources from places like The Arthritis Foundation. 

 http://www.arthritis.org/about-arthritis/understanding-arthritis/early-arthritis-treatment.php

Here is a congressional briefing about advocating for rheumatoid arthritis including stories from patients and providers:

Nurses and patients can learn a lot from the Arthritis Foundation, following are a number of topics regarding healthy living:

Eating Health: http://www.arthritis.org/living-with-arthritis/arthritis-diet/

Best Foods for RA: http://www.arthritis.org/living-with-arthritis/arthritis-diet/best-foods-for-arthritis/

Workout Videos: http://www.arthritis.org/living-with-arthritis/exercise/videos/

There are dozens of videos, for example here is an example of a thai chi video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?t=21&v=98K97FysAGY

Using supplements: http://www.arthritis.org/living-with-arthritis/treatments/natural/supplements-herbs/guide/

Pain Management including fighting fatigue: http://www.arthritis.org/living-with-arthritis/pain-management/

How to pass through life stages with arthritis, such as pregnancy, aging, and caregiving: http://www.arthritis.org/living-with-arthritis/life-stages/

When nurses work with someone who is first diagnosed, the goals include reducing inflammation, managing pain, maintaining joint function, and prevention of joint deformity. We will address about rest, activity, medications (both taking them and figuring out how to get them), and occupational and physical therapy. Another important topic is over the counter medications along with prescribed medications, non-drug management, and how to respond to flare-ups.

Managing RA at home includes figuring out how to schedule rest and work, and to simplify some tasks in order to protect your joints. Fatigue can affect daily life, so scheduled rest periods are important, such as taking a rest before you become totally exhausted, using a stool while preparing food and good positioning. RA can create constant challenges by limiting function, altered body image, pain and fear of disability. Strong family support systems and community resources can be helpful, and self-help groups are helpful to some. Chronic pain can lead to depression, investing in your interests and seeking out professional help if you think necessary can help.