Chapter 31: Assessment of Immune Function

A nurse is explaining treatment options to a client diagnosed with an immune dysfunction. Which statement by the client accurately reflects the teaching about current stem cell research? "Stem cell transplantation has been carried out in humans with certain types of immune dysfunction, and clinical trials using stem cells are underway in clients with a variety of disorders with an autoimmune component." "Currently, stem cell transplantation has only been performed in the laboratory, but future research with embryonic stem cell transplants for humans with immune dysfunction has been promising." "Stem cell clinical trials have only been attempted in clients with acquired immune deficiencies, but plans are underway to begin human cloning using embryonic stem cells." "Stem cell transplantation has been discontinued based on concerns about safety, efficacy, resource allocation, and human cloning.

"Stem cell transplantation has been carried out in humans with certain types of immune dysfunction, and clinical trials using stem cells are underway in clients with a variety of disorders with an autoimmune component."

A client is informed of having a low white blood cell count and that the client is at risk for the development of infections. The client asks, "Where do I make new white blood cells?" What is the best response by the nurse? "White blood cells are produced in the plasma." "White blood cells are produced in the bone marrow." "White blood cells are produced in the thymus gland." "White blood cells are produced in the lymphatic tissue."

"White blood cells are produced in the bone marrow."

Which of the following is the most severe form of hypersensitivity reaction? Cytotoxic Anaphylaxis Delayed-type Immune complex

Anaphylaxis

While taking the health history of a newly admitted client, the nurse asks for a list of the client's current medications. Which of the following medication classifications would place the client at risk for impaired immune function? Antihypertensives Pancreatic enzymes Inotropics Antimetabolites

Antihypertensives

What type of immunoglobulin does the nurse recognize that promotes the release of vasoactive chemicals such as histamine when a client is having an allergic reaction? IgM IgG IgE IgA

IgE

The nurse is aware that the phagocytic immune response, one of the body's responses to invasion, involves the ability of cells to ingest foreign particles. Which of the following engulfs and destroys invading agents? Eosinophils Basophils Neutrophils Macrophages

Macrophages

Which type of immunity becomes active as a result of infection by a specific microorganism? Artificially acquired passive immunity Artificially acquired active immunity Naturally acquired passive immunity Naturally acquired active immunity

Naturally acquired active immunity

A laboring mother asks the nurse if the baby will have immunity to some illnesses when born. What type of immunity does the nurse understand that the newborn will have? Passive immunity transferred by the mother Naturally acquired active immunity There is no immunity passed down from mother to child. Artificially acquired active immunity

Passive immunity transferred by the mother

The anatomy and physiology instructor is explaining a cell-mediated response to the pre-nursing students. What actions would the instructor explain occur in a cell-mediated response? The invading antigens link together (agglutination). T-cell lymphocytes survey proteins in the body and attack the invading antigens. Toxins of invading antigens are neutralized. The invading antigens precipitate.

T-cell lymphocytes survey proteins in the body and attack the invading antigens.

The nurse is beginning the physical examination of a client with fatigue. What documentation will the nurse provide to describe this general appraisal of the client's health? The client has palpable peripheral pulses in the upper extremities. The client has a blood pressure of 120/72 mm Hg. The client is alert and oriented to all spheres. The client appears mildly ill, listless, and disheveled.

The client appears mildly ill, listless, and disheveled.

A client with chronic renal failure has begun treatment with a colony-stimulating factor. What medication does the nurse anticipate administering to the client that will promote the production of blood cells? infliximab (Remicade) Etanercept (Enbrel) Epoetin alfa (Epogen) Adalimumab (Humira)

Epoetin alfa (Epogen)

The nurse is taking the health history of a newly admitted client. Which condition would place the client at risk for impaired immune function? Surgical history of a partial gastrectomy Surgical removal of the appendix Previous organ transplantation Negative history for radiation therapy

Previous organ transplantation Explanation: Organ transplantation requires immunosuppressive drugs, which cause impaired immune function. Removal of the appendix or stomach would have no effect on the immune system. A positive history for radiation therapy would affect the immune system, but not a negative history.

The nurse is caring for a client recovering from a major burn. Burns affect the immune system by causing a loss of large amounts of which of the following? Serum, which depletes the body's store of immunoglobulins Plasma, which depletes the body's store of catecholamines Plasma, which depletes the body's store of calcitonin Serum, which depletes the body's store of glucagon

Serum, which depletes the body's store of immunoglobulins

A patient who suffered severe partial thickness burns to the face and trunk is at risk for depletion of essential proteins and immunoglobulins. The stressors associated with this patient's major injury have caused what immune process to occur? With the help of macrophages, B lymphocytes recognize the antigen of a foreign invader. Circulating lymphocytes will cause lymph node enlargement and altered lymph drainage. Cortisol is released from the adrenal cortex, which contributes to immunosuppression. T lymphocytes are stimulated and produce antibodies.

With the help of macrophages, B lymphocytes recognize the antigen of a foreign invader.