Question

the nurse is teaching a client with rheumatoid arthritis about pannus, which develops in the affected joint area. what does the nurse include to describe pannus?

Answer 1

Pannus is the abnormal growth of tissue in the affected joint area in rheumatoid arthritis. It can cause joint deformity, loss of movement, and severe disability. Treatments aim to alleviate symptoms and slow down pannus formation.

Step-by-step explanation:

Pannus is a term used to describe the abnormal growth of tissue in the affected joint area in rheumatoid arthritis. It is formed by the proliferation of synovial cells and blood vessels, leading to the formation of a thick, inflammatory layer over the joint surface.

As the pannus grows, it invades the joint space, erodes the cartilage and bone, and causes further inflammation and damage to the joint. This can result in joint deformity, loss of movement, and severe disability.

Treatments for rheumatoid arthritis aim to alleviate symptoms and slow down the progression of pannus formation. These may include medications such as disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs), physical therapy, joint protection techniques, and in severe cases, surgical intervention.

Answer 2

Pannus in rheumatoid arthritis is a thickened layer of granulation tissue that arises from the inflamed synovial membrane and can lead to joint damage and disability. Treatments aim to alleviate symptoms and prevent disease progression.

Step-by-step explanation:

In teaching a client about pannus related to rheumatoid arthritis (RA), the nurse would explain that it is a thickened layer of granulation tissue. This tissue arises from the synovial membrane of the joint due to chronic inflammation. As RA progresses, the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy joint tissue, leading to persistent inflammation and the formation of pannus. Pannus invades the space between bones in a joint and can erode the cartilage and bone within. This ultimately may lead to joint deformity, loss of movement, and disability. Commonly involved joints include the hands, feet, and cervical spine and RA can also affect the lungs and cardiovascular system.

Pannus formation is a significant part of the pathological process of RA and contributes to the joint destruction witnessed in affected patients. Though there is no cure, treatments like exercise, medications, and potentially surgery, aim to alleviate symptoms and slow the disease's progression.