Lupus is a disease that affects the immune system. It has many symptoms and these symptoms are not always the same for each Lupus victim. They do include swelling and pain in the joints as well as fever, ulcers, and fatigue. Like many diseases, Lupus is mainly caused by heredity. If there is a family history of Lupus, then a family member will be more susceptible. Another cause could be the reaction of a drug.
When someone is diagnosed with Lupus, the nurse may administer medications. However, the patient will need to change their lifestyle by staying out of the sun due to body temperature. This has to do with the sunlight’s effects on the skin. A teaching plan should be done to help the Lupus patient.
Monitor your body temperature.-rationale: the nurse should instruct the client to monitor body temperature. fever can signal an exacerbation and should be reported to the physician. sunlight and other sources of ultraviolet light may precipitate severe skin reactions and exacerbate the disease. fatigue can cause a flare-up of sle. clients should be encouraged to pace activities and plan rest periods. corticosteroids must be gradually tapered because they can suppress the function of the adrenal gland. abruptly stopping corticosteroids can cause adrenal insufficiency, a potentially life-threatening situation.client needs category: physiological integrityclient needs subcategory: reduction of risk potentialcognitive level: applicationreference: smeltzer, s.c., et al. brunner and suddarths textbook of medical surgical-nursing, 11th ed. philadelphia: lippincott williams & wilkins, 2008, p. 1911.
Answer Anonymously
Copy Link
