NURS 405 SLE EXAM QUESTIONS ANSWERED CORRECTLY LATEST UPDATE 2026
What is Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE)? - Answers A chronic, progressive autoimmune disorder
in which the immune system attacks the body's own connective tissues and organs, leading to
inflammation and possible organ damage.
What happens over time in SLE? - Answers Persistent inflammation causes connective tissue
destruction and can eventually lead to organ failure in severe cases.
Which population is most affected by SLE? - Answers More common in females than males and more
prevalent in African Americans than Caucasians.
What is the etiology of SLE? - Answers Unknown, but there is a strong genetic association.
What is the underlying immune mechanism in SLE? - Answers Autoantibodies target proteins in
connective tissue cells, forming immune complexes that deposit in tissues, triggering inflammation
and tissue destruction.
Why are blood vessels major targets in SLE? - Answers Blood vessels are made of connective tissue,
making them susceptible to immune attack.
What is vasculitis? - Answers Inflammation of blood vessels that reduces perfusion and oxygenation,
potentially leading to organ damage.
What tissues are commonly affected in SLE? - Answers Skin, joints, kidneys, blood cells, nervous
system.
What percentage of SLE patients report joint involvement? - Answers About 90% experience arthritis
and joint pain.
What percentage of SLE patients develop kidney damage? - Answers Approximately 40-50%.
What percentage of SLE patients experience rash and vasculitis? - Answers Around 70-80%.
How does SLE typically present clinically? - Answers With periods of remission (reduced symptoms)
and exacerbations (flare-ups).
What triggers SLE exacerbations? - Answers Infections, hormonal changes, UV light exposure,
environmental substances, injury, and certain drugs.
Why is UV light a major trigger for SLE? - Answers UV exposure stimulates immune activation and can
worsen inflammation.
What is Cutaneous Lupus Erythematosus? - Answers A form of lupus that affects only the skin.
What is the risk for patients with cutaneous lupus? - Answers Many eventually develop systemic lupus
erythematosus.
Why is SLE often difficult to diagnose early? - Answers Onset is slow, symptoms may be mild in early
years, diagnosis can take up to 6 years
What history questions should be asked when assessing for SLE? - Answers Any physical changes in
the last 5 years, family history of SLE, recent infections, recent environmental exposures, triggers
before flare-ups, pattern of fevers with fatigue, new medications
Which medications can induce lupus? - Answers Hydralazine, isoniazid, penicillamine, procainamide
What are the most common symptoms of SLE? - Answers Fever, facial rash, fatigue, painful swollen
joints
Describe the classic butterfly rash in SLE. - Answers Red rash across nose and bilateral cheeks,
butterfly shaped, often triggered by UV light
What other skin manifestations occur in SLE? - Answers Dry scaly raised rash, lesions on sun exposed
areas, photosensitivity
How does arthritis present in SLE? - Answers Pain and swelling in two or more joints, commonly
wrists, ankles, feet, knees, fingers
How does SLE affect the kidneys? - Answers Immune complexes damage glomerular capillaries and
membranes, impaired filtration, protein leaks into urine
What urinary findings suggest lupus nephritis? - Answers Proteinuria, hematuria, cloudy urine, bloody
urine, foamy urine
What hematologic changes occur in SLE? - Answers Anemia, decreased platelet count, decreased
white blood cell count
What cardiac complication is common in SLE? - Answers Pericarditis, inflammation of heart
connective tissue, valve thickening
What cardiac assessments are important in SLE? - Answers Monitor heart rate, murmurs, edema,
capillary refill
What is Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE)? - Answers A chronic, progressive autoimmune disorder
in which the immune system attacks the body's own connective tissues and organs, leading to
inflammation and possible organ damage.
What happens over time in SLE? - Answers Persistent inflammation causes connective tissue
destruction and can eventually lead to organ failure in severe cases.
Which population is most affected by SLE? - Answers More common in females than males and more
prevalent in African Americans than Caucasians.
What is the etiology of SLE? - Answers Unknown, but there is a strong genetic association.
What is the underlying immune mechanism in SLE? - Answers Autoantibodies target proteins in
connective tissue cells, forming immune complexes that deposit in tissues, triggering inflammation
and tissue destruction.
Why are blood vessels major targets in SLE? - Answers Blood vessels are made of connective tissue,
making them susceptible to immune attack.
What is vasculitis? - Answers Inflammation of blood vessels that reduces perfusion and oxygenation,
potentially leading to organ damage.
What tissues are commonly affected in SLE? - Answers Skin, joints, kidneys, blood cells, nervous
system.
What percentage of SLE patients report joint involvement? - Answers About 90% experience arthritis
and joint pain.
What percentage of SLE patients develop kidney damage? - Answers Approximately 40-50%.
What percentage of SLE patients experience rash and vasculitis? - Answers Around 70-80%.
How does SLE typically present clinically? - Answers With periods of remission (reduced symptoms)
and exacerbations (flare-ups).
What triggers SLE exacerbations? - Answers Infections, hormonal changes, UV light exposure,
environmental substances, injury, and certain drugs.
Why is UV light a major trigger for SLE? - Answers UV exposure stimulates immune activation and can
worsen inflammation.
What is Cutaneous Lupus Erythematosus? - Answers A form of lupus that affects only the skin.
What is the risk for patients with cutaneous lupus? - Answers Many eventually develop systemic lupus
erythematosus.
Why is SLE often difficult to diagnose early? - Answers Onset is slow, symptoms may be mild in early
years, diagnosis can take up to 6 years
What history questions should be asked when assessing for SLE? - Answers Any physical changes in
the last 5 years, family history of SLE, recent infections, recent environmental exposures, triggers
before flare-ups, pattern of fevers with fatigue, new medications
Which medications can induce lupus? - Answers Hydralazine, isoniazid, penicillamine, procainamide
What are the most common symptoms of SLE? - Answers Fever, facial rash, fatigue, painful swollen
joints
Describe the classic butterfly rash in SLE. - Answers Red rash across nose and bilateral cheeks,
butterfly shaped, often triggered by UV light
What other skin manifestations occur in SLE? - Answers Dry scaly raised rash, lesions on sun exposed
areas, photosensitivity
How does arthritis present in SLE? - Answers Pain and swelling in two or more joints, commonly
wrists, ankles, feet, knees, fingers
How does SLE affect the kidneys? - Answers Immune complexes damage glomerular capillaries and
membranes, impaired filtration, protein leaks into urine
What urinary findings suggest lupus nephritis? - Answers Proteinuria, hematuria, cloudy urine, bloody
urine, foamy urine
What hematologic changes occur in SLE? - Answers Anemia, decreased platelet count, decreased
white blood cell count
What cardiac complication is common in SLE? - Answers Pericarditis, inflammation of heart
connective tissue, valve thickening
What cardiac assessments are important in SLE? - Answers Monitor heart rate, murmurs, edema,
capillary refill
