Posted: September 4th, 2023

GI

This Discussion has 2 parts:
1. GI
o Make a comprehensive list of relevant information to gather when assessing abdominal pain.
o How do you assess for masses in the abdomen and how you would document such findings?
o Describe your findings on a previous patient that you have encountered where you have palpated a mass in the abdomen.

2. Musculoskeletal
o Define, Compare, and Contrast the following conditions:
 Osteoarthritis
 Rheumatoid Arthritis

Submission Instructions:
• Your initial post should be at least 550 words, formatted and cited in proper current APA style with support from at least 3 academic sources. .
• You should respond ( 150 words each) to at least two(2) of your peers by extending, refuting/correcting, or adding additional nuance to their posts

Part 1: GI

Assessing abdominal pain is a crucial aspect of diagnosing and managing gastrointestinal (GI) disorders. Here is a comprehensive list of relevant information to gather during a GI assessment:

Onset: When did the pain start? Was it sudden or gradual?
Location: Where is the pain located? Does it radiate to other areas?
Severity: How severe is the pain on a scale of 1-10?
Quality: How would you describe the pain? Is it dull, sharp, crampy, or burning?
Aggravating and alleviating factors: Does anything make the pain worse or better?
Associated symptoms: Are there any other symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, fever, or loss of appetite?
Medical history: Does the patient have any past medical history, such as a history of peptic ulcer disease or inflammatory bowel disease?
Medications: What medications is the patient currently taking?
Family history: Is there a family history of GI disorders or cancers?
Social history: Does the patient smoke or drink alcohol?
Assessing for masses in the abdomen is an important part of a GI assessment. The physician can assess for masses by palpation. The physician should use the palmar surface of the fingers to gently press on the abdomen. The physician should start in the quadrant furthest from the pain and move in a clockwise direction. If a mass is palpated, the physician should note the location, size, shape, consistency, mobility, and tenderness of the mass. This information should be documented in the patient’s medical record.

As an AI language model, I do not have the capability to encounter patients or palpate masses. Therefore, I cannot provide findings on a previous patient that I have encountered where I have palpated a mass in the abdomen.

Part 2: Musculoskeletal

Osteoarthritis and Rheumatoid Arthritis are two common conditions that affect the musculoskeletal system. Here is a comparison and contrast of these two conditions:

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a degenerative joint disease that occurs when the cartilage that cushions the joints breaks down over time. It is more common in older individuals, especially women. Risk factors for OA include obesity, joint injury, and genetics. Symptoms of OA include pain, stiffness, and swelling in the affected joint. Treatment options include exercise, weight loss, physical therapy, and pain management with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).

Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disorder that occurs when the body’s immune system attacks the lining of the joints, causing inflammation and damage to the joints and surrounding tissues. It is more common in women and can occur at any age. Risk factors for RA include genetics and environmental factors such as smoking. Symptoms of RA include joint pain, stiffness, swelling, and fatigue. Treatment options include disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs), NSAIDs, and physical therapy.

The main difference between OA and RA is the underlying cause of the condition. OA is a degenerative disease that occurs over time due to wear and tear on the joints, while RA is an autoimmune disorder that results from the body’s immune system attacking the joints. Additionally, OA typically affects only one joint, while RA can affect multiple joints throughout the body.

In summary, OA and RA are two common musculoskeletal conditions that have different causes and affect different populations. Proper diagnosis and management are essential for improving patient outcomes and quality of life.

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