ByAllison R. Edmonds,
MS, APRN-BC and Gregory B. Holm, PhD, ARNP-C
Despite treatment of underlying disease, many
patients with osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis continue to
experience pain that impairs physical and psychological function.
This course provides guidance for evaluating pharmacologic
options for arthritis pain, integrating nonpharmacologic options,
and addresses the importance of adequate pain management.
Overview
Pain is a major determinant
of quality of life for people with osteoarthritis (OA) and rheumatoid
arthritis (RA), which affect more than 20 million and 2.5 million
Americans respectively. Despite receiving appropriate treatment
for the underlying disease, many people experience pain that impairs
physical and psychological function.
There are no treatments that cure and few that alter
the natural history of arthritis, while typical therapies (analgesics)
have the potential for toxicity. Consistent with a biopsychosocial
approach, pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic therapies, accompanied
by patient education, are all important components of a treatment
plan for pain associated with arthritis.
Upon completion of this
course, you should be able to:
Explain the importance of adequate pain management
Discuss nonpharmacologic options for the management
of arthritis pain in adults
Discuss pharmacologic options for the management
of arthritis pain in adults
Target Audience
This
CE activity is designed for nurse practitioners as well as other
healthcare providers who are involved in the diagnosis and treatment
of patients with chronic pain.
Allison
R. Edmonds, MS, APRN-BC[BioSketch] Faculty Instructor, University of
South Florida College of Nursing; Clinical Nurse Practitioner
and Preceptor, University of South Florida Department of Family
Medicine, Tampa, Florida Disclosure: No financial relationships with a commercial
party to disclose.
Gregory
B. Holm, PhD, ARNP-C[BioSketch] Assistant Professor, University of South
Florida Colleges of Medicine & Nursing, Tampa, Florida; Practitioner,
Lakeside Occupational Medical Centers, Pennsylvania Disclosure: Speaker's Bureau: Pfizer.
Accreditation Statement
This program has been
granted 1.0 contact hour of continuing education (which includes
0.4 hours of pharmacology) by the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners,
course number 0405216.
Accreditation Period
This program
was initially published on July 20, 2004, and is eligible for credit
through July 20, 2006.
Course Certificate Fees
This course certificate is FREE to
the holders of this issue of CE-TODAY™
for Nurse Practitioners or the companion CEonCD™.*
All others will be assessed a $10.00 USD processing fee per credit
hour.
*Valid only during the free offer period
listed on the CD-ROM.
