Case Study 1
Vivek Poudel
University of Texas at Arlington
In partial fulfillment of the requirements of
N5315 Advanced Pathophysiology
Mary Schira Ph.D., RN, ACNP-BC
September 19, 2017
What causes systemic lupus erythematosus (lupus)? Why did the NP suspect that Sharon may have lupus? (15 pts)
Exact cause of systemic lupus erythematosus (lupus) is not known. It is believed that some people are born with tendency to develop lupus that is triggered by a viral infection, chemical exposure or other unknown environmental factors. Some of the risk factors are female of reproductive age, estrogen-containing contraceptives, inherited genetic predisposition. Certain race like African American, Hispanic and Asian have a higher chance of getting lupus. Also, some drugs such as Procainamide, Hydralazine and Isoniazid can cause lupus.
Systematic symptoms of lupus can include fatigue and weight loss. Some other common symptoms are butterfly rash in face, eye swelling, low-grade fever, anemia, joint swelling and pain, sensitive to light, headache, hair loss, chest pain with breathing, ulcers …show more content…
The body produces antibodies that attack body’s own tissue and causes damage to the various organs. The process starts with cell apoptosis. During apoptosis cell’s intracellular components like DNA and RNA leaks to extracellular space. T cell activates B cell to release antibodies. Combination of the antigen and antibody forms into an immune complex. The immune complex deposits in tissues of various organs such as kidney, skin, lings, brain, heart etc. The immune complex induces secretion of cytokines which causes inflammation and tissue damage. As immune system attacks different organs, symptoms related to that organ start to appear. The etiology of lupus is not known but it is believed multiple genetic, epigenetic and environmental factors play role to trigger
Vivek Poudel
University of Texas at Arlington
In partial fulfillment of the requirements of
N5315 Advanced Pathophysiology
Mary Schira Ph.D., RN, ACNP-BC
September 19, 2017
What causes systemic lupus erythematosus (lupus)? Why did the NP suspect that Sharon may have lupus? (15 pts)
Exact cause of systemic lupus erythematosus (lupus) is not known. It is believed that some people are born with tendency to develop lupus that is triggered by a viral infection, chemical exposure or other unknown environmental factors. Some of the risk factors are female of reproductive age, estrogen-containing contraceptives, inherited genetic predisposition. Certain race like African American, Hispanic and Asian have a higher chance of getting lupus. Also, some drugs such as Procainamide, Hydralazine and Isoniazid can cause lupus.
Systematic symptoms of lupus can include fatigue and weight loss. Some other common symptoms are butterfly rash in face, eye swelling, low-grade fever, anemia, joint swelling and pain, sensitive to light, headache, hair loss, chest pain with breathing, ulcers …show more content…
The body produces antibodies that attack body’s own tissue and causes damage to the various organs. The process starts with cell apoptosis. During apoptosis cell’s intracellular components like DNA and RNA leaks to extracellular space. T cell activates B cell to release antibodies. Combination of the antigen and antibody forms into an immune complex. The immune complex deposits in tissues of various organs such as kidney, skin, lings, brain, heart etc. The immune complex induces secretion of cytokines which causes inflammation and tissue damage. As immune system attacks different organs, symptoms related to that organ start to appear. The etiology of lupus is not known but it is believed multiple genetic, epigenetic and environmental factors play role to trigger