Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: A Comprehensive Nursing Approach

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a complex, chronic autoimmune disease that presents significant diagnostic, management, and nursing challenges due to its highly variable and multisystem nature. This course provides a comprehensive and clinically relevant overview of SLE tailored to the needs of LPNs, RNs, and APRNs. Nurses will deepen their understanding of SLE pathophysiology, clinical manifestations, disease progression, and diagnostic strategies, with a strong focus on nursing implications in flare recognition, interdisciplinary collaboration, patient education, and long-term care management. Emphasis is placed on navigating comorbidities, medication side effects, reproductive health concerns, and disparities in care outcomes. Evidence-based guidelines and real-world clinical considerations are integrated throughout to support nurses in optimizing outcomes for patients with lupus across diverse care settings.

Learning Objectives

By the end of this course, the participant will be able to:

1. Explain the pathogenesis and epidemiology of systemic lupus erythematosus, including known risk factors and demographic disparities.
2. Identify the major clinical manifestations of SLE across organ systems, including cutaneous, musculoskeletal, renal, pulmonary, neurologic, hematologic, gastrointestinal, and cardiac involvement.
3. Describe evidence-based diagnostic criteria and clinical strategies for distinguishing SLE from other autoimmune or systemic conditions.
4. Outline nursing priorities in managing disease flares, monitoring complications, and supporting pharmacologic treatment adherence.
5. Apply nursing interventions to address the psychosocial, reproductive, and quality-of-life needs of patients living with chronic lupus.