A new clinic patient with joint swelling and pain is being tested ...

[arivle123]

A new clinic patient with joint swelling and pain is being tested for systemic lupus erythematosus. Which test will provide the most specific findings for the nurse to review?
 
  a. Rheumatoid factor (RF)
  b. Antinuclear antibody (ANA)
  c. Anti-Smith antibody (Anti-Sm)
  d. Lupus erythematosus (LE) cell prep

Question 2

A 25-year-old female patient with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) who has a facial rash and alopecia tells the nurse, I never leave my house because I hate the way I look. An appropriate nursing diagnosis for the patient is
 
  a. activity intolerance related to fatigue and inactivity.
  b. impaired social interaction related to lack of social skills.
  c. impaired skin integrity related to itching and skin sloughing.
  d. social isolation related to embarrassment about the effects of SLE.

[otokexnaru]

Answer to Question 1

ANS: C
The anti-Sm is antibody found almost exclusively in SLE. The other blood tests are also used in screening but are not as specific to SLE.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: D
The patient's statement about not going anywhere because of hating the way he or she looks supports the diagnosis of social isolation because of embarrassment about the effects of the SLE. Activity intolerance is a possible problem for patients with SLE, but the information about this patient does not support this as a diagnosis. The rash with SLE is nonpruritic. There is no evidence of lack of social skills for this patient.

[arivle123]

Excellent

[chereeb]

Thanks for the timely response, appreciate it