Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic autoimmune disorder that causes inflammation of the joints (Lemone & Burke, 2001: 1248).
Nursing Diagnosis for Rheumatoid Arthritis : Body image disturbance related to changes in the ability to perform common tasks, increased use of energy, mobility imbalance.
Expected outcomes:
- Expressing increased confidence in the ability to cope with illness, changes in lifestyle, and possible limitations.
- Develop a realistic plan for the future.
Nursing Interventions:
- Encourage disclosure about the problem of disease processes, hope for the future.
- Discuss the meaning of the loss / change in patient / significant other. Ascertain how the patient's personal views on the functioning of everyday lifestyle.
- Discuss the patient's perception of how the people closest to accept limitations.
- Acknowledge and accept the feelings of the bereaved, hostile, dependence
- Consider withdrawing behavior, or deny the use of too much attention to changes.
- Arrange restrictions on maladaptive behavior. Help the patient to identify positive behaviors that can help coping.
Rationale:
- Give a chance to identify the fear / misconceptions and engage directly.
- Identify how the disease affects the perception of self and interaction with others will determine the need for intervention / counseling further.
- Cue verbal / non-verbal people nearby can have a major influence on how patients view themselves.
- Constant pain will be tiring, and feelings of anger and hostility are common.
- May indicate emotional or maladaptive coping methods, requiring further intervention.
- Helping patients to maintain self-control, which can increase feelings of self-esteem.