The Daily PANCE and PANRE Question 24

A 34-year-old female patient presents to the ER with sharp pleuritic-type chest pain. An x-ray shows an enlarged cardiac silhouette suggestive of pericarditis. On more careful questioning, the patient admits to polyarticular arthritis involving the small joints of her hands. Her obstetrical history is positive for two third trimester spontaneous abortions. At this point, you would suspect which autoimmune process as the cause of her symptoms: A. Rheumatoid arthritis B. Systemic Lupus Erythematosus C. Wegener's granulomatosis D. Sjogren's Syndrome E. Scleroderma Answer: B Systemic Lupus Erythematosus 40-60% of patients with SLE have serositis (pleuritis and pericarditis). That, combined with joint pains, habitual AB - should cause you to order an ANA. Know Your NCCPA Content Blueprint Systemic Lupus Erythematosusis covered in theNCCPA Content Blueprint Blueprint Musculoskeletal System (10%) Learn more about SLEand take the interactive lesson quizat Smarty PANCE Systemic lupus erythematosus Note: * This is part of the Daily PANCE and PANRE in your inbox email series: 60 days of PANCE and PANRE Questions and Answers delivered directly to your inbox. It is a great and fun way to learn! If you haven't already, you can sign up for FREE by clicking Here. Support The PA Life for FREE This is provided as an opportunity for anyone who appreciates this email series to help support it painlessly. If you are going to be purchasing anything from Amazon.com (books, school supplies, etc.) simply start your next Amazon.com purchase byclicking here... it's a free way for you to help support the cause! Justclick over to Amazon. Then, when you make your purchase, Amazon will send a portion of the proceeds to The Physician Assistant Life. The money goes toward paying for one-time and ongoing costs (like equipment, hosting, backup services, etc.). Thank you for supporting the site and keeping this content free! If you are studying for the PANCE or the PANRE I recommend thesereview books.