Medical Surgical Nursing

chronicity of disease. of pain

5. Teach pathophysiology of
   pain and rheumatic disease,
   and assist patient to
   recognize that pain often
   leads to unproven treatment
   methods.
   5. Knowledge of
   rheumatic pain and
   appropriate treatment may
   help patient avoid unsafe,
   ineffective therapies.


6. Assist in identification of
   pain that leads to use of
   unproven methods of
   treatment.
   6. The impact of pain on
   an individual's life often
   leads to misconceptions
   about pain and pain
   management techniques.


7. Assess for subjective
   changes in pain.
   7. The individual's
   description of pain is a
   more reliable indicator
   than objective
   measurements such as
   change in vital signs,
   body movement, and
   facial expression.

Nursing Diagnosis: Fatigue related to increased disease activity, pain, inadequate
sleep/rest, deconditioning, inadequate nutrition, and emotional stress/depression
Goal: Incorporates as part of daily activities strategies necessary to modify fatigue

NURSING

INTERVENTIONS

RATIONALE EXPECTED

OUTCOMES

1. Provide instruction
   about fatigue

 Describe

relationship of

disease activity to

fatigue.

 Describe comfort

measures while

providing them.

 Develop and

encourage a sleep

routine (warm bath

and relaxation

techniques that

promote sleep).

 Explain importance

of rest for relieving

systematic,

articular, and

emotional stress.

 Explain how to use

energy

1. The patient's
   understanding of fatigue
   will affect his or her
   actions.

 The amount of

fatigue is directly

related to the

activity of the

disease.

 Relief of discomfort

can relieve fatigue.

 Effective bedtime

routine promotes

restorative sleep.

 Different kinds of

rest are needed to

relieve fatigue and

are based on patient

need and response.

 A variety of

measures can be

used to conserve

 Self-evaluates and

monitors fatigue

pattern

 Verbalizes the

relationship of

fatigue to disease

activity

 Uses comfort

measures as

appropriate

 Practices effective

sleep hygiene and

routine

 Makes use of

various assistive

devices (splints,

canes) and strategies

(bed rest, relaxation

techniques) to ease

different kinds of

fatigue

 Incorporates time

management