The nursing educator is talking with a group of recent nursing graduates about common diagnoses on the unit. What diffuse connec
tive tissue disease would the instructor tell the group is caused by an autoimmune reaction that results in phagocytosis, producing enzymes within the joint that break down collagen and cause edema
In RA, the autoimmune reaction results in phagocytosis, producing enzymes within the joint that break down collagen, cause edema and proliferation of the synovial membrane, and ultimately forms pannus. Pannus destroys cartilage and bone. SLE, osteoporosis, and polymyositis do not result in phagocytosis.
