Systemic Lupus Erythematosus 0
Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
NR 503: Week 6
Jennifer Taylor
RN/BSN August 17,
2019
, Running Head: Systemic Lupus Erythematosus 1
Sometimes just looking at a patient, the provider has a difficult time knowing what is
wrong with the patient. In this paper we are going to discuss the disease known as systemic lupus
erythematosus, or SLE. This disease is one that attacks its patients’ body and is not always easily
diagnosed. The patient is often more fatigued, running fevers and has a rash appear that they are
unfamiliar with. This disease will be discussed at length and will look at the incidence,
prevalence and statistics as well as the signs, symptoms and other background information about
the disease.
Background
Systemic lupus erythematosus, also known as SLE or lupus is a chronic autoimmune
disease that can damage any part of a person’s body such as skin, joints, and organs (Lupus
Foundation of America, 2014). A person with Lupus has symptoms of severe arthritis with pain
and swelling in the joints and are often placed on steroids and immune system suppressants such
as methotrexate are often used as part of the treatment. This is because the immune system of a
patient with lupus is overactive. Lupus is a chronic disease and has no cure, but the symptoms
can be managed with medical treatment. Patients can also use antimalarial drugs to help prevent
the disease from having flare-ups. Lupus causes a patient to be more sensitive to sunlight or UV
rays and can cause their disease to flare-up. It is important that they get plenty of rest, exercise
regularly, limit alcohol use and eat a healthy diet, as these will help improve their immune
system function. A person living with lupus must learn self-management skills and learn how to
manage their disease so that they are not feeling sick all the time. Each person with SLE will
have different treatments depending on their system involvement and symptoms. The
prevalence of SLE in the United States have ranged from 1.8 to 23.2 cases per 100,000 per year
(Ferucci, 2014). Studies have shown that the disease is highest in Afro-Americans then Asians
and
Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
NR 503: Week 6
Jennifer Taylor
RN/BSN August 17,
2019
, Running Head: Systemic Lupus Erythematosus 1
Sometimes just looking at a patient, the provider has a difficult time knowing what is
wrong with the patient. In this paper we are going to discuss the disease known as systemic lupus
erythematosus, or SLE. This disease is one that attacks its patients’ body and is not always easily
diagnosed. The patient is often more fatigued, running fevers and has a rash appear that they are
unfamiliar with. This disease will be discussed at length and will look at the incidence,
prevalence and statistics as well as the signs, symptoms and other background information about
the disease.
Background
Systemic lupus erythematosus, also known as SLE or lupus is a chronic autoimmune
disease that can damage any part of a person’s body such as skin, joints, and organs (Lupus
Foundation of America, 2014). A person with Lupus has symptoms of severe arthritis with pain
and swelling in the joints and are often placed on steroids and immune system suppressants such
as methotrexate are often used as part of the treatment. This is because the immune system of a
patient with lupus is overactive. Lupus is a chronic disease and has no cure, but the symptoms
can be managed with medical treatment. Patients can also use antimalarial drugs to help prevent
the disease from having flare-ups. Lupus causes a patient to be more sensitive to sunlight or UV
rays and can cause their disease to flare-up. It is important that they get plenty of rest, exercise
regularly, limit alcohol use and eat a healthy diet, as these will help improve their immune
system function. A person living with lupus must learn self-management skills and learn how to
manage their disease so that they are not feeling sick all the time. Each person with SLE will
have different treatments depending on their system involvement and symptoms. The
prevalence of SLE in the United States have ranged from 1.8 to 23.2 cases per 100,000 per year
(Ferucci, 2014). Studies have shown that the disease is highest in Afro-Americans then Asians
and
