CH 64 - SYSTEMIC LUPUS
ERYTHEMATOSUS QUESTIONS WITH
COMPLETE ANSWERS
Which marker is found in a majority of patients diagnosed with systemic lupus
erythematosus (SLE)?
C-reactive protein (CRP)
Antinuclear antibody (ANA)
Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA)
Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) - Answer Antinuclear antibody (ANA)
Of those diagnosed with SLE, 97% have ANA in their blood. ESR and CRP are markers
of inflammation that may be used to monitor disease activity and effectiveness of
therapy. CEA is a blood marker that is useful in diagnosing some cancers; it is unrelated
to SLE.
Which environmental factors may contribute to the occurrence of systemic lupus
erythematosus (SLE)? Select all that apply.
Stress
Hormones
Viral infections
Ultraviolet (UV) light exposure
Exposure to chemicals and toxins - Answer Stress
Viral infections
Ultraviolet (UV) light exposure
Exposure to chemicals and toxins
Environmental exposure to some chemicals or toxins, UV light, viral infections, and
stress can stimulate immune hyperactivity which may trigger SLE. Hormones are also
known to play a role in the etiology of SLE, but they are not an environmental factor.
Malar rash associated with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is characterized by
what feature?
, Painless oral ulcerations
Skin rash as an unusual reaction to light
Fixed erythema, flat or raised, usually in a butterfly pattern
Raised patches with scaling follicular plugging and scarring in older lesions - Answer
Fixed erythema, flat or raised, usually in a butterfly pattern
A malar rash is a fixed erythema that is either flat or raised, also known as a butterfly
rash. Painless oral ulcerations are also a hallmark of SLE but are not a feature of the
malar rash. Photosensitivity is a skin rash as an unusual reaction to light which can be
found in SLE. Raised patches with scaling follicular plugging is associated with discoid
rash, which is also found in SLE.
Which diagnostic studies are utilized in the evaluation of systemic lupus erythematosus
(SLE)? Select all that apply.
Urinalysis
Chest x-ray
Urine culture
Serum complement
Electrocardiogram (ECG)
Complete blood cell (CBC) count - Answer Urinalysis
Chest x-ray
Serum complement
Electrocardiogram (ECG)
Complete blood cell (CBC) count
A urinalysis, chest x-ray, serum complement, ECG, and CBC count may be used in the
diagnosis of SLE. A urine culture is not typically used when diagnosing SLE.
How many diagnostic criteria must be present to diagnose a patient with systemic lupus
erythematosus (SLE)?
One
Two
Three
Four - Answer Four
Patients are diagnosed with SLE if they have four of the criteria for the disease either
simultaneously or in sequential observation because there is no specific diagnostic test
for SLE. One, two, or three criteria are too few.
Which disorder is a major complication of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)?
Dysphagia
Renal failure
Peripheral neuropathies
ERYTHEMATOSUS QUESTIONS WITH
COMPLETE ANSWERS
Which marker is found in a majority of patients diagnosed with systemic lupus
erythematosus (SLE)?
C-reactive protein (CRP)
Antinuclear antibody (ANA)
Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA)
Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) - Answer Antinuclear antibody (ANA)
Of those diagnosed with SLE, 97% have ANA in their blood. ESR and CRP are markers
of inflammation that may be used to monitor disease activity and effectiveness of
therapy. CEA is a blood marker that is useful in diagnosing some cancers; it is unrelated
to SLE.
Which environmental factors may contribute to the occurrence of systemic lupus
erythematosus (SLE)? Select all that apply.
Stress
Hormones
Viral infections
Ultraviolet (UV) light exposure
Exposure to chemicals and toxins - Answer Stress
Viral infections
Ultraviolet (UV) light exposure
Exposure to chemicals and toxins
Environmental exposure to some chemicals or toxins, UV light, viral infections, and
stress can stimulate immune hyperactivity which may trigger SLE. Hormones are also
known to play a role in the etiology of SLE, but they are not an environmental factor.
Malar rash associated with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is characterized by
what feature?
, Painless oral ulcerations
Skin rash as an unusual reaction to light
Fixed erythema, flat or raised, usually in a butterfly pattern
Raised patches with scaling follicular plugging and scarring in older lesions - Answer
Fixed erythema, flat or raised, usually in a butterfly pattern
A malar rash is a fixed erythema that is either flat or raised, also known as a butterfly
rash. Painless oral ulcerations are also a hallmark of SLE but are not a feature of the
malar rash. Photosensitivity is a skin rash as an unusual reaction to light which can be
found in SLE. Raised patches with scaling follicular plugging is associated with discoid
rash, which is also found in SLE.
Which diagnostic studies are utilized in the evaluation of systemic lupus erythematosus
(SLE)? Select all that apply.
Urinalysis
Chest x-ray
Urine culture
Serum complement
Electrocardiogram (ECG)
Complete blood cell (CBC) count - Answer Urinalysis
Chest x-ray
Serum complement
Electrocardiogram (ECG)
Complete blood cell (CBC) count
A urinalysis, chest x-ray, serum complement, ECG, and CBC count may be used in the
diagnosis of SLE. A urine culture is not typically used when diagnosing SLE.
How many diagnostic criteria must be present to diagnose a patient with systemic lupus
erythematosus (SLE)?
One
Two
Three
Four - Answer Four
Patients are diagnosed with SLE if they have four of the criteria for the disease either
simultaneously or in sequential observation because there is no specific diagnostic test
for SLE. One, two, or three criteria are too few.
Which disorder is a major complication of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)?
Dysphagia
Renal failure
Peripheral neuropathies
