autoimmune disorders

Question 1

what is an autoimmune sytem disorder

Answer 1

immune system mistakes part of your bady, like your joints or skin, as foreign. it releases autoantibodies that attack healthy cells
- B cells overproduce
- systemic inflammation
- can target 1 organ (DM1) or many organs (lupus)

Question 2

what are some risk factors for autoimmune disorders

Answer 2

• women more at risk than men
• hereditary
• diet (no mcchickens)
• environmental
• viruses

Question 3

autoimmune symptoms vary from person to person and makes diagnosis difficult, what are some possible symptoms

Answer 3

• fatigue
• achy muscles and joints
• low grade fever
• trouble concentrating/brain fog
• numbness and tingling in the hands and feet
• hair loss
• skin rashes

Question 4

name some labs that might be used for autoimmune disorders

Answer 4

• antinuclear antibodies (ANA): different patterns are correlated with different diseases
• erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR): detects nonspecific inflammation
• VDRL (serum syphilis test): tests for lupus, systemic inflammation may cause false positive
• kidney biopsy: may show antibody-antigen clumps blocking glomerulus

Question 5

describe systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)

Answer 5

inflammatory autoimmune disease, multiple organ involvement
- antibody-antigen complexes trapped in capillaries
- antibodies destroy host cell

Question 6

what are some manifestations of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)

Answer 6

• chronic or acute states
• fever
• malaise
• butterfly rash
• joint and muscle pain
• pericarditis, CP
• nephritis

Question 7

whats included in the medical mangement of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)

Answer 7

• prevention of organ damage
• prevent complications: renal failure, CVA/MI, pain
• life threatening in acute stage

Question 8

describe drug therapy for systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)

Answer 8

immunosuppression
- corticosteroids
- MABs (belimumab)
- NSAIDS

Question 9

whats included in nursing management of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)

Answer 9

• emotional support
• avoid sun/UV light
• infection prevention
• diet reccomendations: heart healthy, renal, low processed

Question 10

what is sjogren’s syndrome

Answer 10

systemic autoimmune disease affecting lacrimal and salivary glands

most common autoimmune disease

Question 11

what are some manifestations of sjogren’s syndrome

Answer 11

• dry eyes
• dry mouth
• thivk mucus
• difficulty swallowing
• skin rash
• raynauds

Question 12

whats used in the diagnosis of sjogren’s syndrome

Answer 12

• ocular and gland testing
• symptoms
• lab values: ANA elevated

Question 13

whats included in the medical management of sjogren’s syndrome

Answer 13

symptom management

Question 14

what drug therapy is used for sjogren’s syndrome

Answer 14

• artificial tears
• biotene rinse

Question 15

what are some nursing considerations for sjogren’s syndrome

Answer 15

• diet changes
• infection prevention
• no alcohol or smoking
• mouth wash

Question 16

name some other autoimmune disorders and how do you treat them

Answer 16

• inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
• multiple sclerosis (MS)
• guillain-barre syndrome
• scleroderma
• psoriasis

turn down the immune response

Question 17

what are some general treatments for autoimmune disorders

Answer 17

• anti inflammatories: reduce pain and inflammation (celecoxib)
• corticosteroids: reduce inflammation (prednisone)
• immune modulators: inhibit immune response adalimumab)
• immunosuppressant srugs: inhibit immune response (methotraxate)

Question 18

true or false

autoimmune disorders only target one organ

Answer 18

false

autoimmune disorders can target only one or many organs