Explain the pathophysiology of rheumatoid arthritis
Maggie is a 28-year-old Caucasian woman who has newly diagnosed rheumatoid arthritis. She complains of painful, stiff hands and feet, feels tired all the time, and reports an intermittent low-grade fever. She asks the doctor if she is going to be “crippled.” How might the doctor explain the pathophysiology of rheumatoid arthritis?
Susan was bitten by a deer tick and now complains of joint pain, flu-like symptoms, and difficulty thinking. What might be her diagnosis and the treatment required to alleviate her symptoms?
