CHAPTER 3 Immune System^167
- Ineffective protection
- Chronic pain
NURSING INTERVENTION
- Avoid sunlight.
- Cover butterfly rash with cosmetics.
- Reduce stress.
- Monitor for infections.
Crucial Diagnostic Tests
Immunologic Blood Studies
WHY IS IT GIVEN?
These tests are used to identify immunological factors in the blood:
- ANA.The antinuclear antibodies test is a screening test for the detection of
antibodies to nuclear antigens. Close to 100 percent of patients with SLE will
show positive evidence. - ESR.The erythrocyte sedimentation rate is useful in differentiating between
inflammatory and neoplastic disease. Serial values are helpful to track disease
severity. - SS-AandSS-B. SS-A antibodies can be detected in about 30 percent of SLE
patients. SS-B antibodies have a high specificity for the sicca complex,
caused by diminished secretion from glands. - Rheumatoid factor. Rheumatoid factor is an IgM antibody that is associated
with rheumatoid arthritis. Blood is drawn from a vein and a study is con-
ducted to determine if the blood contains this immunoglobulin antibody. 50
percent of the patients with rheumatoid arthritis have this antibody. - Scleroderma autoantibodies. The sclerodema antibody is found in venous
blood of patients who have scleroderma. The autoantibodies are positive in
about 25 to 40 percent of scleroderma patients.