Lupus Erythematosus Research Paper

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

Kelli Worobel

Dr Stewart

BSL 115- Human Anatomy & Physiology I

Galen College

Criteria #1, Description of the pathology and Criteria #2, Body System (s) involved

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

“The Lupus Foundation of America estimates that 1.5 million Americans, and at least five million people worldwide, have a form of lupus” (Lupus Foundation of America Inc, 2017)

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus, referred to as SLE or lupus, is a chronic, long term disease that causes inflammation, pain and swelling. SLE can be confused with other health problems due to its wide range of symptoms. SLE affects the skin, joints, and other organs in the body such as the kidneys, the tissue lining the lungs (pleura) and heart

(pericardium), and the brain (Ginzler & Tayar, 2015). Most patients feel fatigue, have rashes, arthritis and fever (Ginzler & Tayar, 2015). Lupus is related to deposits of immune complex (antigen-antibody complex, is a molecule formed from the integral binding of an antibody to a soluble antigen) (Medical Definition of Immune complex. (n.d.). The immune complexes deposit in various organs, which triggers inflammation and eventually cell and tissue damage.
Lupus can affect organs such as the kidneys, heart, lungs, and the brain, which is the most affected (About Us, 2017). It can also affect the skin, blood, and joints. The lymphatic system plays a key role in an immune response against specific threats to the body. It usually ignores antigens which are normally found in our bodies but when there is a problem activated B cells make antibodies against normal cells and tissue. These antibodies are called autoantibodies. The resulting disease is depended on what antigens are attacked. (Martini & Bartholomew, 2017, p.496).
Criteria #3, Normal anatomy of major body system affected
The bodies anatomy that can be affected by Lupus are the patients kidneys, skin, lungs, cells, heart, blood vessels, joints, blood, brain, spinal cord, and tendons. When the patient has not been affected by Lupus, they do not have pain or swelling in the joints, rash, muscle pain, chest pain, hair loss, pale or purple fingers or toes, sensitivity to sun, and fatigue to just name the most common (Fast Facts About Lupus, n.d)
Criteria #4, Normal physiology of body system affected
The patient’s kidneys would not be inflamed which would keep them from having difficulties urinating.

Their skin would not have any type of butterfly rash across cheeks and bridge of nose. The patient would also not have confusion or changes in their personality, which are symptoms of the central nervous system or CNS. The Peripheral nervous system would be responsible for symptoms like numbness and tingling. The red blood cells would deliver oxygen throughout the body, the white blood cells would keep foreign pathogens from destroying cells and tissue and the platelets would help clot the blood. There would be no signs of inflammation or weakening of the heart muscle. The patient’s bones would not be brittle or depleted of calcium due to long term steroid use (Kirkbride,

2015).
Criteria #5, Mechanism of pathophysiology

Criteria #6, Prevention
We don't know exactly what causes lupus but it is believed that genetics, hormones, and the environment may be a culprit. Chronic stress can play a huge role in lowering a person’s immunity and making them susceptible to disease (Martini & Bartholomew, 2017). Sunlight and UV light can damage cells and also trigger lupus. Infections can trigger lupus, so take your vitamins and wash your hands good so you don’t get sick. Certain medications can cause a drug- induced lupus but if you stop the medication the symptoms should go away. Toxins like smoking and factory work can also trigger lupus (Web MD, n.d.)
Criteria #7, Treatment
Rheumatologist, Clinical Immunologists, and numerous different specialists all aid in the treatment of Lupus in patients affected. The treatment plan usually prescribed for Lupus patients could be the use of NSAIDS, anti-malarials like hydroxychloroquine, which is used to treat the symptoms of fatigue, joint pain, skin rashes, and inflammation of the lungs. Corticosteroids, such as prednisone are often used as well to treat patients. Corticosteroids are used to suppress the inflammation that is happening. Another option is immunosuppressives, like cyclophosphamide, which block the production of immune cells. The most recently FDA approved treatment option is B-lymphocyte stimulator (BLyS) protein inhibitor, which claims may reduce the number of abnormal B cells being the problem (Handout on Health: Systemic Lupus Erythematosus, 2016)
Criteria #8, Clinical Relevance
As a nurse when taking care of a patient with Lupus, I would obtain vital signs, pulse ox, pain assessment, review labs and immediately report any abnormalities, administer any pain medicines and monitor for efficacy and adverse reactions, provide frequent movement, help with exercise for mobility and independence, maybe request PT or OT if necessary based on the patient. There is also the emotional and mental side to a patient struggling with Lupus. Patients can become depressed about their condition, so it is important to educate them about the disease and provide them with options of people to talk to like counselors (Schub, Uribe, Pravikoff, & CINAHL Nursing Guide. (June 3, 2016).
Conclusion

References
Ginzler, E., MD, & Taylor, J., MD.

(2015, June). Lupus. Retrieved January 29, 2017, from http://www.rheumatology.org/I-Am-A/Patient-Caregiver/Diseases-Conditions/Lupus

Medical Definition of Immune complex. (n.d.). Retrieved January 29, 2017, from http://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=30763

Martini, F., & Bartholomew, E. F. (2017). Essentials of anatomy & physiology. Hoboken, NJ: Pearson Education, Inc.

About Us. (2017). Retrieved February 06, 2017, from http://www.lupus.org/about/statistics-on- lupus

Kirkbride, G. (2015, December 17). How Lupus Affects Multiple Organs. Retrieved February 06, 2017, from https://www.hss.edu/conditions_many-faces-lupus-organ-involvement- SLE.asp

Lupus: What Are the Causes? (n.d.). Retrieved February 06, 2017, from http://www.webmd.com/lupus/guide/understanding-lupus-prevention#2

Fast Facts About Lupus. (n.d.). Retrieved February 24, 2017, from https://www.niams.nih.gov/health_info/Lupus/lupus_ff.asp

Schub, T., Uribe, L., Pravikoff, D., & CINAHL Nursing Guide. (june 3, 2016). Systemic Lupus Erythematosus .Nursing Reference Center. Retrieved February 24, 2017.

Handout on Health: Systemic Lupus Erythematosus. (2016, June). Retrieved February 24, 2017, from

https://www.niams.nih.gov/health_info/lupus/#Lupus_6