NURS 287 Lecture Notes - Lecture 3: Systemic Lupus Erythematosus, Septic Arthritis, Connective Tissue Disease

• School: University of Calgary
• Department: Nursing
• Course: NURS 287
• Professor: Rick Nilson

Document Summary

Septic arthritis (infectious or bacterial arthritis) is caused by invasion of joint cavity with microorganisms. Large joints (knee and hip) are frequently involved, causing severe pain, erythema, and swelling. This condition requires prompt treatment with antibiotics to prevent joint destruction. Nursing care includes assessment and monitoring of joint inflammation, pain, and fever. Lyme disease is a spirochetal infection transmitted by bite of an infected deer tick. A characteristic symptom of the early localized disease is erythema migrans, a skin lesion occurring at site of tick bite 2 to 30 days after exposure. Viral-like symptoms, such as fever, chills, headache, swollen lymph nodes, and migratory joint and muscle pain, also occur. In late disease, arthritis pain and swelling may occur in large joints. Antibiotics are used for active disease and to prevent late disease. Reducing exposure to ticks is the best way to prevent lyme disease.