Chronic Disease : Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid Arthritis or “RA” is an autoimmune disorder where the immune system mistakenly attacks its own body tissues. This disease affects the lining of joints causing pain and swelling. Eventually the swelling can lead to bone erosion and joint deformity. RA can happen to anyone at any age, but the majority of people who have to endure this disease are women over the age of 40.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease that causes chronic inflammation of the joints. While inflammation of the tissue around the joints and inflammatory arthritis are characteristic features of rheumatoid arthritis, the disease can also cause inflammation and injury in other organs in the

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic syndrome that is characterized by inflammation of the peripheral joints, but it may also involve the lungs, heart, blood vessels, and eyes. The prevalence of this autoimmune disease is between 0.3% to 1.5% of the population in the United States (Feinberg, pp 815). It affects women two to three times more often than men, and the onset of RA is usually between 25 and 50 years of age, but it can occur at any age (Reed, pp 584). RA can be diagnosed by establishing the presence of persistent joint pain, swelling in a symmetric distribution, and prolonged morning stiffness. RA usually affects multiple joints, such as the hands, wrists, knees, elbows, feet, shoulders, hips, and small

This inflammatory incurable disease Rheumatoid Arthritis came as a surprise to John as he had never experienced such an ‘excruciating pain’ in his joints. Pain initially started in his left hand and the next day he suffered from the same excruciating pain in his right hand. This really disturbed him as he had no idea what to do with it. The pain was absolutely excruciating that he decided to see a doctor and seek medical advice. His doctor was also confused and just recommended him some Analgesic or Paracetamol tablets to mitigate the pain. This indicates that John has led a healthy life in his past and has good medical record, since he was experiencing this kind of disease for the first time in his life; his doctor was unable to learn about his condition in the first place (Charmaz, pp.976-993).

Since I struggled in school and cannot play many sports due to my Rheumatoid Arthritis, I found art to be the perfect outlet for me. I chose to pick a major from the CSULB College of the Arts because I knew I wanted to get a degree where I would be able to create art and explore other artistic talents. I decided to major in film because I find films magical, every time I watch a movie, music video or short film I escape reality and enter a fantasy. Films inspire me to write new lyrics, new scripts, and to make a change. Growing up I wanted to be an actress in films and film has given me the opportunity to act in films and work behind the camera. I have enjoyed every film class especially FEA 299 Media Aesthetics. I did not have much knowledge

Do you ever find yourself feeling limited to everyday activities due to throbbing in you joints? Do you ever wake up and find yourself battling with pain and stiffness? Well, just know you are not alone. All across America, thousands of people are affected by this disease every year. Generally, those who suffer the most from this chronic disease are ages 65 and over. Rheumatoid arthritis is taking a major toll on the lives of many senior citizens. Don’t let the swelling of your joints stop you from feeling young again.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease where the body’s immune system protects the body’s health by attacking unknown substances like bacteria and viruses, and mistakenly attacks the body’s joints. This creates inflammation causing the tissue that lines the inside of joints to thicken, which results in swelling and pain in and around the joints. The tissue makes a fluid that lubricates joints and helps them move smoothly. If inflammation goes unchecked, it can damage cartilage, the elastic tissue that covers the ends of bones in a joint, as well as the bones themselves. Over time, there is loss of cartilage, and the joint spacing between bones may become smaller. Joints can become

Rheumatoid Arthritis is a systemic autoimmune disorder. There are more than 100 different types of Arthritis, yet it is estimated that it affects approximately 1% of the population in the Western World. The disease is generally diagnosed in middle aged adults and the elderly. In rarer cases, children can also develop the disease and it is called Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis. Women are three times more likely to have rheumatoid arthritis than men. (Stevens) Many people living with Rheumatoid Arthritis appear to be healthy individuals, but suffer internally. Today, I will discuss what rheumatoid arthritis is, how it is diagnosed, and how it affects the body.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a systematic inflammatory disease characterized by synovitis (constant inflammation of the synovial membranes) and autoantibodies. The disease that affects 0.5-1.0% of all adults in industrialized countries, mostly women and elderly people (Scott et al, 2010). In the United States, more than 1.5 million people suffer from rheumatoid arthritis, making it one of the most common auto-immune disease (Carmona et al. 2010). According to the Arthritis Foundation, individuals who suffer from arthritis have to deal with joint pain, morning stiffness, fatigue, loss of appetite, depressive symptoms, and low-grade fever which can last a few days to weeks. Individuals with this disease tend to have a low-quality of life and difficulties with day-to-day activities.

As an individual’s ethics will play a large part in their practice, there are specific guidelines and legislation that exist to ensure that nurses, as well as other health professionals, practice in a way that is ethical (Avery, 2013). These laws further exists to attempt to simplify the ethical issues that sometimes present in nursing practice and to attempt to guide one’s actions. The Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) provides guidance to nurses by providing a number of professional codes and guidelines (Avery, 2013). The NMBA has developed a code of ethics for nurses comprising of eight codes (Avery, 2013). These are as follows; 1) Nurses value quality nursing care for all people; 2) Nurses value respect and kindness for self and others;

Rheumatoid Arthritis or (RA) is an autoimmune disease that attacks the joints and connective tissue. The result is inflammation that produces permanent damage in the joints. Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic syndrome that tends to be progressive and destructive as compared to Osteoarthritis or (OA), which is more of an age related disease caused by “wear and tear” of the joints. In contrast to (OA), rheumatoid arthritis is characterized by inflammation mostly of the joints, but is a general body disease.

As is the case with all professions, nursing is guided by a code of ethics and other standards. Australian nurses are now guided by The ICN Code of Ethics for Nurses, produced by the International Council of Nurses. These frameworks directly outline parameters for professional behaviour and influence decisions (NMBA, 2016 p.3). Expectations of integrity exist to protect the vulnerable recipients of nursing care from harm (Daly et al). A nurse with integrity also upholds their beliefs (Alfaro-LeFevre p. 30).

A critique of an article published by The New York Times suggests a Breakthrough in treatment for joint pain of patients suffering from Rheumatoid arthritis. The article suggests that a drug known as a Biologic taken with Methotrexate may effectively treat pain and swelling symptoms caused by Rheumatoid Arthritis. Before critiquing the article, it is necessary to discuss the anatomy and physiology of Rheumatoid Arthritis so you may have a better understanding of the disease and the possible treatments. Rheumatoid Arthritis is classified as an autoimmune disease; it is a chronic inflammatory disorder in which the immune system attacks the tissues of the synovial joints of the individual who is suffering from the disease (Marieb and Hoehn 2013). The attacks cause inflammation to the synovial joints; the onset of inflammation brings both pain and swelling to the joint (Marieb and Hoehn 2013). Inflammatory cells appear in the joint cavity of the synovial joint and release inflammatory chemicals that destroy the body tissue at the joint (Marieb and Hoehn 2013). The disease is bilateral, meaning that if it affects a joint on one side of the body, for example the left wrist; chances are that it will affect the same joint on the opposite side of the body (Marieb and Hoehn 2013).

This assignment demonstrates why nurses who are working in the healthcare profession must work legally and ethically, describes some of the legislations and Tort laws that are directly associated with the nursing profession and also the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia’s (NMBA) Code of Ethics and Code of Professional Conduct. Failure to provide care within these parameters could lead to serious consequences for the patient and nurse themselves.

An interview was conducted between a nurse and a job applicant on 13th April 2011, to explore the applicant’s past medical history and activities of daily living. The nurse commenced by sharing his role and purpose of the meeting, but few aspects were not touched like confidentiality and information handling. Immediately after explain her role, the nurse started exploring. The nurse said, “......then I will ask you some personal questions about you and your health ........ So let’s start with your name?” (7:70 mins)