Amanda Chenoweth, 21 years of age, returned from a summer job as a pianist on a cruise ship where she was exposed daily to excessive sun; she developed a rash on her cheeks
She complained that her finger joints were stiff and painful, which made it difficult to play the piano, and that her hips became painful after sitting at the piano for long periods. Her blood sample tested positive for anti-nuclear antibodies and had decreased serum C3 levels. A urine albumin test showed elevated protein levels. A course of prednisone (an anti-inflammatory steroid) in combination with naprosyn (a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agent) was begun and her condition improved rapidly. What is the most likely cause and clinical name of her condition?
What will be an ideal response?
a. deterioration of the central nervous system; multiple sclerosis
b. cartilage destruction by bone-cell enzymes; rheumatoid arthritis
c. immune complexes fixing complement in kidney, joints, and blood vessels; systemic lupus erythematosus
d. autoantibodies against acetylcholine receptor at the neuromuscular junction; myasthenia gravis
e. consumption of seafood to which she was allergic; acute systemic anaphy
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