Scleroderma and Ankylosing Spondolitis
The acronym that describes the five hallmark features of limited cutaneous systemic sclerosis.
What is CREST (Calcinosis, Raynaud’s, Esophageal dysfunction, Sclerodactyly, Telangiectasia)?
This type of joint involvement is common in psoriatic arthritis but rare in rheumatoid arthritis.
What is asymmetric joint involvement?
One long-term nursing consideration when managing patients with psoriatic arthritis.
What is skin care coordination for coexisting psoriasis?
The characteristic facial rash seen in SLE patients?
What is a butterfly (malar) rash?
This is the hallmark symptom that differentiates fibromyalgia from most other musculoskeletal disorders.
What is widespread musculoskeletal pain without joint inflammation?
This postural deformity is commonly seen in later-stage ankylosing spondylitis?
What is a forward stooped posture or kyphosis?
This extra-articular feature distinguishes reactive arthritis from other inflammatory arthritides.
What is conjunctivitis, urethritis, or mucocutaneous lesions?
The clinical sign would a nurse look for to detect trigger points in myofascial pain syndrome.
What is palpable taut bands of skeletal muscle that reproduce pain on pressure?
The major complication should nurses monitor for in patients with dermatomyositis or polymyositis.
What is respiratory muscle weakness or dysphagia?
The 3 non-musculoskeletal symptoms that are frequently reported by fibromyalgia patients.
What are fatigue, sleep disturbances, cognitive dysfunction (“fibro fog”)?
This lab marker is often positive in ankylosing spondylitis and helps guide diagnosis.
What is HLA-B27?
This recent patient history is often present before the onset of reactive arthritis.
What is a gastrointestinal or genitourinary infection (e.g., Chlamydia, Salmonella)?
This specific diagnostic test evaluates eye dryness in Sjögren’s syndrome.
What is the Schirmer’s test?
This highly specific antibody is often present in SLE but not other autoimmune diseases.
What is anti-dsDNA?
This is the criteria involving pain points and symptom duration to support diagnosis of fibromyalgia.
What is pain in 11 of 18 tender points for at least 3 months?
This biologic drug class is used to manage inflammation in ankylosing spondylitis.
What are TNF inhibitors (e.g., etanercept, adalimumab)?
This systemic medication can be used in severe psoriatic arthritis when NSAIDs are not enough.
What is methotrexate?
This class of medication may be used to stimulate saliva and tear production in Sjögren’s.
What are cholinergic agents (e.g., pilocarpine, cevimeline)?
This medication class is commonly used to reduce flares in SLE and myositis?
What are corticosteroids?
These types of medications are often used to manage fibromyalgia symptoms.
What are SSRIs, SNRIs (e.g., duloxetine), or anticonvulsants (e.g., pregabalin)?
These specific types of exercise recommendation help preserve posture and respiratory function in scleroderma patients.
What are daily stretching and breathing exercises?
This is one long-term nursing consideration when managing patients with psoriatic arthritis.
What is skin care coordination for coexisting psoriasis?
This interdisciplinary referral is often essential in managing myofascial pain syndrome.
What is physical therapy or trigger point massage therapy?
The key patient education should nurses provide regarding sun exposure in SLE.
What is using sunscreen and protective clothing to avoid photosensitivity-induced flares?
This holistic nursing approach is vital in managing fibromyalgia.
What is promoting aerobic exercise, stress management, and sleep hygiene?