title: Laboratory aspects of rheumatologic disease.
abstract: Assessment of laboratory values is an important function of nursing practice. Rheumatologic laboratory assessment, in particular, can be complex because few findings are actually pathognomonic. This article provides a perspective on an interpretive approach to laboratory assessment of rheumatologic disease. In conjunction with the patient's clinical status, these values can provide helpful information for monitoring or predicting the course of disease.
authors.affiliation: Arthritis Center of Northeast Ohio, Youngstown, Ohio 44512, USA.
authors.forename: B M
authors.initials: BM
authors.lastname: Rothschild
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Rothschild
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Miller
mesh_terms: D000209:Acute-Phase Proteins / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000378:metabolism; D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000502:physiology; D001799:Blood Sedimentation; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D012216:Rheumatic Diseases / Q000378:metabolism / Q000451:nursing / Q000473:pathology; D012217:Rheumatoid Factor / Q000302:isolation & purification
chemical_list: D000209:Acute-Phase Proteins; D001323:Autoantibodies; D002097:C-Reactive Protein; D012217:Rheumatoid Factor