What is Lupus?
This term describes lupus as a long-term disease with periods of flares and remission
What is a chronic disease?
In lupus, the immune system mistakenly targets these substances from the cell nucleus.
What are nuclear antigens?
This is the most common symptom reported by patients with lupus.
What is fatigue?
This organ system is most commonly affected internally in lupus.
What are the kidneys?
This vital sign should be closely monitored due to kidney involvement.
What is blood pressure?
Lupus is classified as this type of disease because the immune system attacks the body’s own tissues
What is an autoimmune disease?
These cells become activated and produce autoantibodies in lupus
What are B lymphocytes?
Lupus arthritis is typically described as nonerosive and often affects these joints.
What are the hands, wrists, and knees?
Inflammation of this heart structure causes chest pain that worsens when lying flat.
What is the pericardium?
Foamy urine suggests this renal finding.
What is proteinuria?
Lupus most commonly affects women in this age group
What is women of childbearing age?
These immune products form when autoantibodies bind to self-antigens.
What are immune complexes?
This classic rash appears over the cheeks and nose
What is a butterfly rash?
This blood abnormality increases the risk of infection in lupus patients.
What is leukopenia?
During skin assessment, this rash pattern is most concerning for lupus.
What is a butterfly-shaped rash?
Lupus is often called this because it can mimic many other diseases
What is the great imitator?
Immune complexes cause tissue injury by activating this inflammatory system.
What is the complement system?
These two neuropsychiatric symptoms are part of lupus diagnostic criteria.
What are seizures and psychosis?
Long-term steroid use for Lupus increases the risk of this painful bone condition.
What is avascular necrosis?
Confusion, seizures, and personality changes may indicate involvement of this system.
What is the central nervous system?
This is why diagnosing lupus is challenging
What is multisystem involvement with variable presentations?
This explains why lupus causes flares and remissions instead of continuous symptoms.
What is an excitable immune response?
This renal complication affects up to 50% of patients with SLE and can lead to kidney failure.
What is lupus nephritis?
Organ damage in lupus tends to do this over time, even when symptoms are controlled.
What is accumulate?
This psychosocial factor should always be assessed in patients with lupus.
What is coping ability or mental health status?