Practice Question
The nurse suspects lupus nephritis when which finding is present?
Answer Choices:
Correct Answer:
Proteinuria
Rationale:
🟦 Proteinuria is a hallmark of lupus nephritis because immune-complex deposition in the glomeruli increases permeability, allowing proteins to leak into urine.
🟦 Persistent proteinuria (>0.5 g/day) is one of the strongest early signs of kidney involvement in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).
🟦 Loss of albumin leads to edema, a common presenting sign in lupus nephritis.
🟦 Proteinuria often appears before other renal manifestations, making it a key early diagnostic clue.
🟦 Untreated proteinuria progresses to azotemia and renal failure, so its identification is crucial for early intervention.
❌ Incorrect Options
🟦 Constipation is unrelated to renal inflammation and is not a sign of lupus nephritis.
🟦 Polycythemia does not occur in lupus nephritis; kidney disease tends to cause anemia, not increased RBCs.
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This question is from NURSING CONCEPTS II- MIDTERM EXAM FALL 2025 which contains 98 questions.
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Question Details
- Category: RN Nursing Exam(s)
- Subcategory: ATI Exam(s)
- Domain: RN Concept-Based Assessment Level Exam(s)
- Answer Choices: 4