Ms. W.P. is 42 years old and has had rheumatoid arthritis for 6 years. Her fingers are stiff and show slight ulnar deviation. She is now experiencing an exacerbation, and her wrists are red and...

Ms. W.P. is 42 years old and has had rheumatoid arthritis for 6 years. Her fingers are stiff and show slight ulnar deviation. She is now experiencing an exacerbation, and her wrists are red and swollen. She finds clothing or a touch on the skin over her wrists very painful. Her elbows and knees are also stiff and painful, especially after she has been resting. She is feeling extremely tired and depressed and has not been eating well. 1. Explain the reasons for the appearance and the pain occurring at her wrists.

2. Describe the factors contributing to the stiff, deformed fingers.

3. Explain why some activity relieves the pain and stiffness of rheumatoid arthritis.

4. Describe several factors contributing to the systemic symptoms noted in Ms. W.P.

5. Explain how each of the following drugs acts in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (see Chapter 2): (1) NSAIDs; (2) glucocorticoids; (3) disease-modifying agents; and (4) biologic agents.

6. Predict the possible course of this disease in Ms. W.P