Lupus Case Study Summary

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1.What is the significance of each of D.W.'s laboratory findings?
• With the ANA titer, most people with SLE test positive for this antibody. While not every person does, it is common to see this result positive, and in this case, it helps prove the SLE.
• In nearly 85% of patients with untreated SLE test positive of dsDNA. This finding shows that it is probable SLE even though it is not always present in every case, but because it is not seen positive with other connective tissue problems, it is associated with Lupus.
• The positive anti-Sm is used as a diagnostic test meaning the patient most likely has Lupus.
• The elevated CRP and ESR are ways that can show how the disease progresses. The elevation of these can be common in those with …show more content…

http://www.lupus.org/answers/entry/lupus-tests
http://www.mayomedicallaboratories.com/test-catalog/Clinical+and+Interpretive/8178
9th edition Medical-Surgical Nursing book
6. The physician orders cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan) 100 mg/m2/day orally in two divided doses. D.W. weighs 140 pounds and is 5 feet, 4 inches tall. How much will she receive with each dose?
• First you must find m2 which is the body surface area. 5 feet 4 inches must be converted into cm. There are 2.54 cm in 1 inch and 12 inches in 1 foot which equates to 64 inches multiplied by 2.54 equals 162.6 cm. Now the 140 pounds must be converted into kg. There are 2.2 pounds in 1 kg, so the 140 pounds equals 63.6 kg. I found a website that calculates the body surface area. The body surface area as a result is 1.69.
• 100 mg/1.69/day would result in 100 mg x 1.69 = 169 mg/day. Each dose would be 84.5 mg. …show more content…

Measuring D.W.'s blood pressure every 2 hours
 b. Assisting D.W. with personal hygiene measures
 c. Counseling D.W. on seizure safety precautions
 d. Assessing D.W.'s neurologic status every 2 hours
 e. Emptying the urine collection device and measuring the output
 f. Monitoring D.W.'s BUN and creatinine levels
• 9th edition Medical-Surgical Nursing book

1. What is PJP?
• It is an opportunistic pneumonia fungal infection caused by Pneumocystis jiroveci. While technically a fungal infection, antifungals have shown to be ineffective against it, so the treatment requires antibiotics and short term steroid use in HIV/AIDS patients. The PJP was causing his shortness of breath and cough.

http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/225976-overview
https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/000671.htm
9th edition Medical-Surgical Nursing book



2. What is the significance of the purplish spots over K.D.'s neck and arms?
• It is significant because it could be a sign of Kaposi Sarcoma which is a cancer that many in the health care field believe to be related to HIV. It is a type of herpesvirus that can be spread through sexual contact and saliva. When patients reach a CD4 level of less than 200, a person infected with this virus may begin to show the symptoms of Kaposi Sarcoma which include the purplish spots. This means that his HIV is progressing, and his immune system is worsening because the virus is able to show symptoms of

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