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CASE STUDY
ON
ARTHRITIS
PDMSNC PDMSNC
SUBMITTED ON:
IDENTIFICATION DATA
AGE : 42 yrs
GENDER : Female
WARD : MICU
EDUCATION : Graduate
RELIGION : Hindu
DIAGNOSIS : Arthritis
CHIEF COMPLAINS:
Patient came with the complain of joint pain and stiffness which is getting worsened day by day.
She is facing much problem in movement of her joints. She is facing this problem since last 2
years but has not seen any improvement in condition.
No significant history.
SOCIO-ECONOMIC HISTORY:
Patient is living in a pucca house. Electricity facility is available. Source of water is tap water.
She also gave history of good sanitation in his house. There is proper satiation facility available.
All are using a common washroom.
PERSONAL HISTORY:
DIET: Vegetarian
SMOKING: No
ALCOHOL: No
FAMILY HISTORY:
Patient belongs to middle class family. There are 5 members in her family, patient, her husband,
one son and 2 daughters. Children are not yet married.
Patient’s husband has continuous back pain since last 2 months and is under treatment. No other
person in family is having any disease condition.
PHYSICAL EXAMINATION
General Appearance
Look- Anxious
Posture- Normal
Health- Unhealthy
Nourishment- Nourished
Consciousness- Conscious
Anthropometric Measurement
Height- 152 cm
Weight- 50 kg
BMI- 22.23
Vital signs
Temperature- 98.4°F
Pulse- 86 beats/min
Respiration- 18 breaths/min
BP- 120/80 mm of Hg
Scalp- Clear
Shape- Normal
Size- Normal
Eyes
Eyelids- Symmetrical
Vision- Normal
Ears
Symmetry- Symmetrical
Hearing- Normal
Nose
Symmetry- Symmetrical
Discharge- Absent
Mouth
Lips- Pink
Teeth- No discoloration
Gums- No retraction
Neck
Movement- Normal
Chest
Symmetry- Symmetrical
Abdomen
Inspection- No scars
Symmetry- Symmetrical
Lower Extremities
Symmetry- Symmetrical
INVESTIGATION
INVESTIGATION PATIENT NORMAL REMARKS
VALUE VALUE
INTRODUCTION
Arthritis is defined as inflammation of one or more joints, leading to pain and stiffness that can
worsen with age. There are as many as 100 types of arthritis with distinctive symptoms and
causes. Arthritis affects the joints, the tissue that surrounds the joint and tissue that surrounds the
joint and tissues connected with joints. Arthritis affects more than 180 million people in India.
TYPES
Connective Tissue Disease (CTD): Connective Tissue is the tissue that holds together or
divides other body tissues and organs. Pain in the joints is a common symptom of CTD.
Scleroderma and dermatomyositis are popular examples of CTD.
Metabolic Arthritis: Uric acid is a chemical developed as a body classifies the substance
called purine, which is found in human cells and food. This arthritis creates sudden spikes
of unbearable joint pain and even gout attack.
Infectious Arthritis: This arthritis is the result of virus or fungus that enters the joint and
stimulates inflammation.
CAUSES
There is no definite cause of arthritis. Causes of arthritis depend upon the particular form of
arthritis. Probable Causes of arthritis are:
Infection
Immune system dysfunction
Injury
Genetic
Unusual Metabolism
SYMPTOMS
Swelling: Arthritis causes an abnormal enlargement of a part of the body. This is due to
the accumulation of fluid.
Pain: The feeling of constant pain in the many parts of the body.
Stiffness: Stiffness in the muscle upon waking up, or sitting at one place for long, upon
waking up in the morning or after sitting at a desk. One may feel stiffness in finger, wrist,
elbow, knees, ankles, shoulder or in any other joint.
Fever, chills, fatigue, loss of appetite and headaches are some other common symptoms
of arthritis.
DIAGNOSIS
Diagnosis of the arthritis disease is done, to know its current and past status. The combination of
radiography, laboratory test and physical examination may be carried out. Diagnostic tests to
diagnose arthritis include:
Ultrasound
MRI
Blood Culture
Joint X-Ray
Tear Test
Thyroid Function Test
Uric Acid Test
Medication
Joint Replacement Surgery
Physical Therapies
Joint Assistive Aids
Weight Loss
NURSING DIAGNOSIS
Rest your painful joint so it can heal. The healthcare provider may recommend
crutches or a walker if the affected joint is in a leg.
Apply ice or heat to the joint. Both can help decrease swelling and pain. Ice may also
help prevent tissue damage. Use an ice pack, or put crushed ice in a plastic bag. Cover it
with a towel and place it on your joint for 15 to 20 minutes every hour or as directed. You
can apply heat for 20 minutes every 2 hours. Heat treatment includes hot packs or heat
lamps.
Elevate your joint. Elevation helps reduce swelling and pain. Raise your joint above the
level of your heart as often as you can. Prop your painful joint on pillows to keep it above
your heart comfortably.
Medications
You may need to take other medicines every day to prevent arthritis from getting worse.
The healthcare providers will help you understand all your medicines and when to take
them. It is important to take the medicines as directed, even if you start to feel better. You
can continue to have joint damage and inflammation even if you do not feel it.
Diet
Eat a variety of healthy foods. Healthy foods include fruits, vegetables, whole-grain
breads, low-fat dairy products, beans, lean meats, and fish.
Ask if you need to be on a special diet. A diet rich in calcium and vitamin D may
decrease your risk of osteoporosis.
Food high in calcium include milk, cheese, broccoli, and tofu. Vitamin D may be
found in meat, fish, fortified milk, cereal and bread.
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