Osteoarthritis
Definition of osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis occurs when the loss of protective cartilage that covers the ends of the cones causes cones to rub together during movement, producing pain (ARC Nursing Assistant Training, 2013, p276 Box 16-1). It is the most common form of arthritis, affecting millions of people across the world. While it can affect any bone in the body, it is most commonly found in the joints of your hands, knees, hips, and spine. Although there is no know cure for the disease, staying active and maintaining a healthy body weight may slow the progression of the disease. (http://www.mayoclinic.org/)
Signs and symptoms of osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis is a disease of the joints. Unlike the other forms …show more content…
•Joint fluid analysis: a physician may use a needle to draw fluid out of the affected joint. Examining and testing the fluid from your joint can determine if there's inflammation and if your pain is caused by gout or an infection.
Treatment of osteoarthritis
There is no known cure for osteoarthritis but there are treatments that help reduce pain and aid in joint movement. The Mayo Clinic website cites these treatments as popular ways to treat the disease.
-Drug Therapy: Medications that can be taken to help reduce pain and inflammation associated with osteoarthritis.
•Acetaminophen: best for those who have mild to moderate pain because the medicine only reduces pain, not inflammation.
•Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs): Reduces inflammation and relieves pain. Over-the-counter NSAIDs include ibuprofen and naproxen. Stronger NSAIDs are available by prescription.
-Physical Therapy: A physical therapist can work with the patient to create an exercise plan that will strengthen the muscles around the joint and improve range of …show more content…
When caring for someone with osteoarthritis, a nursing assistant should keep these extra steps in mind.
Since a resident with osteoarthritis will have trouble moving around it is important to keep their room free of clutter on the floor. As osteoarthritis progresses, muscles can get weaker and hips and knees can get stiffer, increasing the risk of falling. It is best to take precautions to prevent further harm to the resident.
Additionally, a nursing assistant could offer to help them into a wheelchair and take them where they need to go. In order to do that one must help the resident up into a sitting position, legs off the bed and feet on the floor, then use a gait belt and properly put it around the resident; second, ensure that the wheels are locked on the wheelchair; third, put their shoes on; fourth, ask them to help push off the bed and pivot toward the wheelchair on the count of three and then the nursing assistant would pull up on the gait to help. Once up and pivoted, the nursing assistant should ask when they feel the back of the wheelchair and instruct them to sit down, then take off the gait belt (ARC Nursing Assistant Training, 2013, p 182 Skill
Definition of osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis occurs when the loss of protective cartilage that covers the ends of the cones causes cones to rub together during movement, producing pain (ARC Nursing Assistant Training, 2013, p276 Box 16-1). It is the most common form of arthritis, affecting millions of people across the world. While it can affect any bone in the body, it is most commonly found in the joints of your hands, knees, hips, and spine. Although there is no know cure for the disease, staying active and maintaining a healthy body weight may slow the progression of the disease. (http://www.mayoclinic.org/)
Signs and symptoms of osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis is a disease of the joints. Unlike the other forms …show more content…
•Joint fluid analysis: a physician may use a needle to draw fluid out of the affected joint. Examining and testing the fluid from your joint can determine if there's inflammation and if your pain is caused by gout or an infection.
Treatment of osteoarthritis
There is no known cure for osteoarthritis but there are treatments that help reduce pain and aid in joint movement. The Mayo Clinic website cites these treatments as popular ways to treat the disease.
-Drug Therapy: Medications that can be taken to help reduce pain and inflammation associated with osteoarthritis.
•Acetaminophen: best for those who have mild to moderate pain because the medicine only reduces pain, not inflammation.
•Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs): Reduces inflammation and relieves pain. Over-the-counter NSAIDs include ibuprofen and naproxen. Stronger NSAIDs are available by prescription.
-Physical Therapy: A physical therapist can work with the patient to create an exercise plan that will strengthen the muscles around the joint and improve range of …show more content…
When caring for someone with osteoarthritis, a nursing assistant should keep these extra steps in mind.
Since a resident with osteoarthritis will have trouble moving around it is important to keep their room free of clutter on the floor. As osteoarthritis progresses, muscles can get weaker and hips and knees can get stiffer, increasing the risk of falling. It is best to take precautions to prevent further harm to the resident.
Additionally, a nursing assistant could offer to help them into a wheelchair and take them where they need to go. In order to do that one must help the resident up into a sitting position, legs off the bed and feet on the floor, then use a gait belt and properly put it around the resident; second, ensure that the wheels are locked on the wheelchair; third, put their shoes on; fourth, ask them to help push off the bed and pivot toward the wheelchair on the count of three and then the nursing assistant would pull up on the gait to help. Once up and pivoted, the nursing assistant should ask when they feel the back of the wheelchair and instruct them to sit down, then take off the gait belt (ARC Nursing Assistant Training, 2013, p 182 Skill