NCLEX - Small Vessel Vasculitis

Here are key facts for NCLEX from the Small Vessel Vasculitis tutorial, as well as points of interest at the end of this document that are not directly addressed in this tutorial but should help you prepare for the boards. See the tutorial notes for further details and relevant links.

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1. Vasculitis is inflammation of blood vessels leading to ischemia, necrosis, and organ damage. 2. Common general symptoms include fever, fatigue, weight loss, joint pain, and skin changes (especially palpable purpura). 3. Initial treatment often includes high-dose corticosteroids to reduce inflammation and prevent complications. 4. Nursing priorities focus on monitoring for organ dysfunction (e.g., lungs, kidneys) and preventing infection during immunosuppressive therapy.

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# 1. Affects nose, lungs, and kidneys. 2. Symptoms:

• Sinusitis, nasal crusting, nosebleeds.
• Cough, shortness of breath, hemoptysis.
• Kidney damage (hematuria, elevated creatinine).
• Skin signs like purpura.

3. Nursing role:

• Monitor for respiratory distress.
• Watch for signs of kidney failure.
• Support corticosteroid administration and infection prevention.

# 4. Typically seen in patients with asthma and allergic symptoms. 5. Symptoms:

• Severe asthma attacks.
• Peripheral neuropathy (weakness, numbness).
• Cardiac symptoms (chest pain, heart failure signs).

6. Nursing role:

• Prioritize airway management.
• Monitor heart function closely.
• Watch for new neurologic deficits.

# 7. Symptoms:

• Rapid kidney decline (RPGN).
• Purpura on skin.
• Possible pulmonary hemorrhage (coughing up blood).

8. Nursing role:

• Monitor respiratory and renal function.
• Early recognition of hemoptysis is critical.

# 9. Most common in children. 10. Symptoms:

• Palpable purpura (especially on buttocks and legs).
• Abdominal pain, GI bleeding.
• Joint pain.
• Blood in urine (hematuria).

11. Nursing care:

• Monitor for signs of kidney damage.
• Educate parents that this usually resolves but may need monitoring if kidney involvement is severe.

# 12. Associated with hepatitis C infection. 13. Symptoms:

• Purpura.
• Joint pains.
• Kidney issues (hematuria, proteinuria).

14. Nursing care:

• Monitor for kidney problems.
• Help coordinate antiviral therapy for Hepatitis C.
• Monitor for cold-induced symptoms (cryoglobulins precipitate in cold).

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1. Monitor for systemic signs of worsening disease:

• Decreased urine output.
• New respiratory symptoms.
• Severe abdominal pain or GI bleeding.

2. Administer corticosteroids as ordered and monitor for side effects:

• Blood sugar elevation.
• Infection (masking early signs of sepsis).
• Osteoporosis prevention strategies (calcium and vitamin D).

3. Educate patients about:

• The importance of infection prevention.
• Adherence to medications even after symptoms improve.
• Monitoring and reporting any new organ-related symptoms (e.g., hematuria, chest pain, dyspnea).

4. Protect patients from exposure to cold in cryoglobulinemia to avoid symptom exacerbation. 5. Prepare patients and families for possible biopsy procedures (skin, kidney) if needed for diagnosis confirmation.