Manitoba Nephrology Nurse Practice Test

Which type of vasculitis mainly affects small vessels in the joints, skin, kidneys, and GI tract?

1. Wegner's Granulomatosis

2. Henoch-Schonlein Purpura

3. Microscopic Polyangiitis

4. Polyarteritis Nodosa

The correct answer is: Henoch-Schonlein Purpura

Henoch-Schonlein Purpura primarily affects small vessels and is characterized by a clinical triad of symptoms: palpable purpura, often seen on the buttocks and legs, along with abdominal pain and arthralgia. It is a small-vessel vasculitis that typically occurs in children and can involve the kidneys, leading to IgA vasculitis, which manifests as glomerulonephritis. The involvement of the gastrointestinal tract often presents as abdominal pain or gastrointestinal bleeding due to vasculitis affecting the small vessels supplying these areas. This condition is distinct from other types of vasculitis, which may target larger vessels or present with different symptoms. For example, Wegner's Granulomatosis (now known as granulomatosis with polyangiitis) primarily affects the upper respiratory tract and lungs in addition to kidneys, and is categorized more as a medium vessel vasculitis. Similarly, Microscopic Polyangiitis also targets small vessels but is associated with systemic symptoms and a different underlying immunological profile. Polyarteritis Nodosa is characterized by medium-vessel involvement and does not typically present with the hallmark symptoms found in Henoch-Schonlein Purpura. Thus, Henoch-Schonlein Purpura