Management and Discharge Plan [PDF]

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Nursing Management 1. Instruct patients to seek medical care for evaluation of new symptoms, including fever. 2. Instruct patients to avoid exposure to sunlight and ultraviolet light. 3. Encourage them to receive nonlive vaccines during stable periods of disease, to quit smoking, and to carefully plan pregnancies. 4. A complete opthalmologic examination is indicated before treatment begins and every 6 months thereafter. 5. Instruct patient to maintain a balanced diet that does not exceed calorie expenditure is essential for maintaining appropriate weight on corticosteroid therapy. 6. Use of sunscreen with an SPF of atleast 15, wide brim hats, and protective clothing.“Slip, slop, slap” rule: slip on a shirt, slop on sunscreen, and slap on a hat before going out in the sun. Medical Management Antibiotics: To treat or prevent an infection caused by germs called bacteria. If taking antibiotics, take them until they are all gone even if you feel better. Take antibiotics before dental cleanings and other dental or medical procedures. Always tell caregivers and dentist that you have lupus. Antim alarial m edicine: To treat the joint and skin symptoms of lupus. Even though this medicine is used to treat malaria, it is also given to treat lupus. Cytotox ic m edicine: To decrease inflammation (redness and swelling) in muscles or joints. Cytotoxic medicine also slows down the immune system. Fever m edicine: To help lower body temperature. Common medicines used to lower temperature include acetaminophen and ibuprofen. Lowering body temperature may help you feel better. I m m unosuppressive m edicine: With lupus, the immune system attacks your own body when it should not. Immunosuppressive medicine may be given to slow down the immune system. P ain m edicine: -Caregivers may give medicine to take away or decrease your pain. Medicine may be taken regularly, or only when you need it. -Tell your caregiver if your pain does not decrease enough for you to feel better. Do not wait to take your pain medicine until the pain is very bad. The medicine may not work as well at controlling your pain if you wait too long to take it.



-If you are taking medicine that makes you drowsy, do not drive or use heavy equipment. N onsteroidal anti-inflam m atory m edicine: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicine may help decrease pain and inflammation in muscles or joints. Steroids: To decrease inflammation. This medicine can help a lot but may also have side effects. Surgical Management Surgery is not a primary treatment for lupus, but in some cases the complications of lupus may require surgery. Minor surgical procedures such as taking a skin, kidney, or lymph node biopsy may be needed in diagnosing lupus. Some of the major surgical operations that may be done in lupus patients are kidney transplantation, splenectomy, and joint replacement.