A patient is seen in the office for complaints of joint pain, swelling, and a low-grade fever. What blood studies does the nurse know are consistent with a positive diagnosis of RA?

A patient is seen in the office for complaints of joint pain, swelling, and a low-grade fever. What blood studies does the nurse know are consistent with a positive diagnosis of RA?


a) Positive antinuclear antibody (ANA)
b) Positive C-reactive protein (CRP)
c) Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine transaminase (ALT) levels of 7 units/L
d) Red blood cell (RBC) count of <4.0 million/mcL
e) Red blood cell (RBC) count of >4.0 million/mcL


Answer:

a) Positive antinuclear antibody (ANA)
b) Positive C-reactive protein (CRP)
d) Red blood cell (RBC) count of <4.0 million/mcL


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