Final answer:
Laboratory tests that support the diagnosis of a lupus flare include elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and decreased white blood cells. Both ESR elevation and ANA positivity are crucial in diagnosing lupus flares.
Step-by-step explanation:
You asked which labs support the diagnosis of a lupus flare. Of the options provided, elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) supports the diagnosis of a lupus flare (c). Other indicators of a lupus flare include positive antinuclear antibody test (ANA), which looks for antibodies that bind to DNA, and the presence of anti-Smith (Sm) and anti-double-stranded DNA (ds-DNA) antibodies. Both ESR and ANA tests are useful in diagnosing the systemic manifestation of lupus, but ESR is considered a nonspecific marker of inflammation. In the context of lupus, elevated ESR indicates active inflammation, which is common during a lupus flare. Decreased white blood cells (b) may also be seen during a lupus flare due to the disease's immunological effects. In contrast, elevated cholesterol (a) is not specific to lupus flares, and decreased C-reactive protein (CRP) (d) is generally not associated with lupus flares; in fact, CRP may be elevated when inflammation is present.