Nursing Assessment, Management and Treatment of Autoimmune Diseases
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Healthcare providers will conduct a thorough history and physical and care- fully review patients’ signs and symp- toms. Detailed descriptions of signs and
symptoms are found in the section on pathophysiology. As a summary, Figure 4 displays the most common signs and symptoms of lupus.
Figure 4. Most Common Symptoms of Lupus Erythematosus
Note . From Haggstrom, M., 2009.
Laboratory tests Although no single test can diagnose lupus, several tests are used to help de- termine diagnosis. Tests include the fol- lowing (Mayo Clinic, 2021a; Rebar et al., 2019): ● Complete blood count (CBC) : Results may show anemia and/or a reduced white blood count (WBC), both of which may occur in lupus. ● Serum electrophoresis : Serum electrophoresis may show hypergammaglobulinema. ● Chest X-rays : Chest X-rays may reveal pleurisy or lupus pneumonitis.
● Kidney and liver assessment : Blood tests may be ordered to help assess kidney and liver functioning. ● Urinalysis : Urinalysis may show elevated protein levels or the presence of RBCs in the urine. ● Antinuclear antibody (ANA) Test : A positive test for the presence of antibodies suggests a stimulated immune system. Most people with lupus have a positive ANA test. However, most people with a positive ANA test do not have lupus. A positive ANA test calls for more- specific antibody testing. ● Echocardiogram : Echocardiograms may show cardiac abnormalities.
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