Final answer:
The Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR) is often used along with the highly sensitive C-reactive protein (hsCRP) blood test to determine the presence and severity of an inflammatory process in clients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).
Step-by-step explanation:
When a nurse is caring for a client with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), and a highly sensitive C-reactive protein (hsCRP) blood test is prescribed, another blood test that is often used along with the hsCRP is the Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR). These tests are both markers of inflammation and can help in determining the presence and severity of an inflammatory process. In addition to ESR, autoimmune diseases like SLE are also diagnosed using specific tests like the antinuclear antibody test (ANA) and anti-Smith (anti-Sm) antibodies test, which are particularly useful for their high specificity in SLE.