Unraveling Lupus
Course Overview
Lupus isn’t just a butterfly rash—it’s an autoimmune overdrive that can touch almost every organ system. In this foundations episode, we cover the essentials that are asked most: what lupus is, who gets it, why it’s tricky to diagnose, how it’s classified and worked up, what “typical treatment” looks like today, and what recent guidelines emphasize (think: steroid minimization and treat-to-target). Expect practical insights on assessment, patient education, vaccine timing, and safety monitoring—plus simple strategies to speed recognition and improve handoffs.
Listen, Learn, and Earn CE Hours with this podcast course. Available on Apple, Spotify, and other podcast apps.
Learning Outcomes
Upon the completion of this course, the learner should be able to:
- Identify key elements of the 2019 EULAR/ACR classification criteria and their clinical application.
- Differentiate systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) from cutaneous and drug-induced lupus.
- Recognize foundational diagnostics: common symptoms, key labs (ANA, anti-dsDNA, complements), and why classification criteria exist.
About the Author/Presenter
Dr. Candace Pierce, DNP, RN, CNE, COI is a nurse leader committed to ensuring nurses are well prepared and offered abundant opportunities and resources to enhance their skills acquisition and confidence at the bedside. With 15 years in nursing, she has worked at the bedside, in management, and in nursing education. She has demonstrated expertise and scholarship in innovation and design thinking in healthcare and education, and collaborative efforts within and outside of healthcare. Scholarship endeavors include funded grants, publications, and presentations. As a leader, Dr. PIERCE: strives to empower others to create and deploy ideas and embrace their professional roles as leaders, change agents, and problem solvers. In her position as the Sr. Course Development Manager for Elite, she works as a project engineer with subject matter experts to develop evidence-based best practices in continuing education for nurses and other healthcare professionals.
Abby Schmidt, MSN-Ed, RN, is an accomplished Nurse Educator and Author with a Master's Degree in Nursing from Liberty University. She has a diverse background, including roles in CPR instruction, incident management, nursing education, and clinical practice, demonstrating her versatility in the healthcare field. Abbie holds multiple certifications and licenses, reflecting her commitment to professional growth. Her published CE courses and her dedication to improving healthcare practices underline her significant contributions to the nursing profession.
Audience/Accreditations and Approvals
TRC Healthcare/ NetCE
In support of improving patient care, this activity has been planned and implemented by TRC Healthcare/ NetCE. TRC Healthcare/NetCE is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.
This course is designed for the following healthcare professions (select your profession for details):
Nursing
If you require special accommodations, please contact Colibri Healthcare Support by clicking here: Contact Us
