A patient tells the nurse that she hopes she does not develop rheumatoid arthrit

1 -- Several characteristics of autoimmunity include genetics, seen higher in females than males; estrogen stimulates the immune response, androgens suppress the immune response, and disorders overlap. The onset of an autoimmune disorder is frequently associated with a physical or psychologic stressor. The nurse should respond that autoimmune disorders are genetically linked with women having a higher incidence than men. Stress is not the only way for the disorder to develop. Limiting physical activity will not prevent the onset of the disorder.