Question

A woman has been recently diagnosed with systemic lupus (SLE) and shares with the nurse, "I am thinking about getting pregnant, but I don't know how I will be able to tolerate a pregnancy because I have lupus." Which of the following responses by the nurse is BEST?

1) Most women find that they feel better when they are pregnant.
2) How long have you been in remission?
3) Women with lupus frequently have slightly longer gestations.
4) It is best to become pregnant within the first 6 months of diagnosis.

Answer 1

The nurse should ask "How long have you been in remission?" to the woman with SLE considering pregnancy, as the condition of the disease greatly impacts pregnancy management and outcomes. Active SLE can cause complications, so it's important the disease is stable before pregnancy.

Step-by-step explanation:

The best response by the nurse to a woman with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) who is considering pregnancy would be to assess the current state of the disease. Among the provided options, the most appropriate answer would be to ask, "How long have you been in remission?". This is because the disease activity can influence the decision and management of pregnancy. Systemic lupus erythematosus can cause a wide range of symptoms, including joint pain, skin rashes, and fatigue, due to the immune system's abnormal production of autoantibodies attacking the body's own tissues. While some autoimmune conditions might improve during pregnancy due to the body's natural immunological adjustments, SLE is unpredictable and requires careful monitoring. Since SLE can lead to complications in pregnancy, it is essential that the disease be stable, or in remission, before contemplating pregnancy.