Med Surg Chapter 36 Management of Patients With Immunodeficiency
A home health nurse is caring for a patient who has an immunodeficiency. What is the nurse's priority action to help ensure successful outcomes and a favorable prognosis? A) Encourage the patient and family to be active partners in the management of the immunodeficiency. B) Encourage the patient and family to manage the patient's activity level and activities of daily living effectively. C) Make sure that the patient and family understand the importance of monitoring fluid balance. D) Make sure that the patient and family know how to adjust dosages of the medications used in treatment.
A (Feedback: Encouraging the patient and family to be active partners in the management of the immunodeficiency is the key to successful outcomes and a favorable prognosis. This transcends the patient's activity and functional status. Medications should not be adjusted without consultation from the primary care provider. Fluid balance is not normally a central concern.)
The nurse is caring for a patient with an immunodeficiency who has experienced sudden malaise. The nurse's colleague states, "I'm pretty sure that it's not an infection, because the most recent blood work looks fine." What principle should guide the nurse's response to the colleague? A) Immunodeficient patients will usually exhibit subtle and atypical signs of infection. B) Infections in immunodeficient patients have a slower onset but a more severe course. C) Laboratory blood work is often inaccurate in immunodeficient patients. D) Immunodeficient patients do not develop symptoms of infection.
A (Feedback: Immunodeficient patients often lack the typical objective and subjective signs and symptoms of infection. However, this does not mean that they wholly lack symptoms. Infections do not normally have a slower onset. Blood work may not be a reliable diagnostic tool, but that does not mean that the results are inaccurate.)
A nurse is admitting a patient with an immunodeficiency to the medical unit. In planning the care of this patient, the nurse should assess for what common sign of immunodeficiency? A) Chronic diarrhea B) Hyperglycemia C) Rhinorrhea D) Contact dermatitis
A (Feedback: The cardinal symptoms of immunodeficiency include chronic or recurrent severe infections, infections caused by unusual organisms or organisms that are normal body flora, poor response to treatment of infections, and chronic diarrhea. Hyperglycemia, rhinorrhea, and contact dermatitis are not symptoms the patient is likely to exhibit.)
The nurse is applying standard precautions in the care of a patient who has an immunodeficiency. What are key elements of standard precautions? Select all that apply. A) Using appropriate personal protective equipment B) Placing patients in negative-pressure isolation rooms C) Placing patients in positive-pressure isolation rooms D) Using safe injection practices E) Performing hand hygiene
A,D,E (Feedback: Some of the key elements of standard precautions include performing hand hygiene; using appropriate personal protective equipment, depending on the expected type of exposure; and using safe injection practices. Isolation is an infection control strategy but is not a component of standard precautions.)
A nurse is caring for a patient who has an immunodeficiency. What assessment finding should prompt the nurse to consider the possibility that the patient is developing an infection? A) Uncharacteristic aggression B) Persistent diarrhea C) Pruritis (itching) D) Constipation
B (Feedback: Persistent diarrhea is among the varied signs and symptoms that may suggest infection in an immunocompromised patient. Aggression, pruritis, and constipation are less suggestive of an infectious etiology.)
A nurse caring for a patient who has an immunosuppressive disorder knows that continual monitoring of the patient is critical. What is the primary rationale behind the need for continual monitoring? A) So that the patient's functional needs can be met immediately B) So that medications can be given as ordered and signs of adverse reactions noted C) So that early signs of impending infection can be detected and treated D) So that the nurse's documentation can be thorough and accurate
C (Feedback: Continual monitoring of the patient's condition is critical, so that early signs of impending infection may be detected and treated before they seriously compromise the patient's status. Continual monitoring is not primarily motivated by the patient's functional needs or medication schedule. The nurse's documentation is important, but less than infection control.)
A patient with a diagnosis of primary immunodeficiency informs the nurse that he has been experiencing a new onset of a dry cough and occasional shortness of breath. After determining that the patient's vital signs are within reference ranges, what action should the nurse take? A) Administer a nebulized bronchodilator. B) Perform oral suctioning. C) Assess the patient for signs and symptoms of infection. D) Teach the patient deep breathing and coughing exercises.
C (Feedback: Dyspnea and cough are among the many signs and symptoms that may suggest infection in an immunocompromised patient. There is no indication for suctioning or the use of nebulizers. Deep breathing and coughing exercises do not address the patient's complaints or the likely etiology.)
The nurse educator is differentiating primary immunodeficiency diseases from secondary immunodeficiencies. What is the defining characteristic of primary immunodeficiency diseases? A) They require IVIG as treatment. B) They are the result of intrauterine infection. C) They have a genetic origin. D) They are communicable.
C (Feedback: Primary immunodeficiency diseases are genetic in origin and result from intrinsic defects in the cells of the immune system. Primary immunodeficiency diseases do not always need IVIG as treatment, and they are not communicable. Primary immunodeficiencies do not result from intrauterine infection.)
An immunocompromised patient is being treated in the hospital. The nurse's assessment reveals that the patient's submandibular lymph nodes are swollen, a finding that represents a change from the previous day. What is the nurse's most appropriate action? A) Administer a PRN dose of acetaminophen as ordered. B) Monitor the patient's vital signs q2h for the next 24 hours. C) Inform the patient's primary care provider of this finding. D) Implement standard precautions in the patient's care.
C (Feedback: Swollen lymph nodes are suggestive of infection and warrant prompt medical assessment and treatment. Acetaminophen is an ineffective response. The nurse should monitor the patient's vital signs closely, but the physician should also be informed. Standard precautions should be in place regardless of the patient's status.)
A nurse educator is explaining that patients with primary immunodeficiencies are living longer than in past decades because of advances in medical treatment. This increased longevity is associated with an increased risk of what? A) Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease B) Dementia C) Pulmonary fibrosis D) Cancer
D (Feedback: Advances in medical treatment have meant that patients with primary immunodeficiencies live longer, thus increasing their overall risk of developing cancer. It does not mean that they are at increased risk of COPD, dementia, or pulmonary fibrosis.)
A patient who has received a heart transplant is taking cyclosporine, an immunosuppressant. What should the nurse emphasize during health education about infection prevention? A) Eat a high-calorie, high-protein diet. B) Limit physical activity in order to conserve energy. C) Take prophylactic antibiotics as ordered. D) Perform frequent handwashing.
D (Feedback: Hand hygiene is imperative in infection control. A well-balanced diet is important, but for most patients this is secondary to hygiene as an infection-control measure. Prophylactic antibiotics are not normally used. Limiting physical activity will not protect the patient from infection.)
A nurse is providing health education regarding self-care to a patient with an immunodeficiency. What teaching point should the nurse emphasize? A) The importance of aggressive treatment of acne B) The importance of avoiding alcohol-based cleansers C) The need to keep fingernails and toenails closely trimmed D) The need for thorough oral hygiene
D (Feedback: Many patients develop oral manifestations and need education about promoting good dental hygiene to diminish the oral discomfort and complications that frequently result in inadequate nutritional intake. Alcohol cleansers do not necessarily need to be avoided and nail care is not a central concern. Acne care is not a main focus of education, since it is not relevant to many patients.)
A home health nurse is reinforcing health education with a patient who is immunosuppressed and his family. What statement best suggests that the patient has understood the nurse's teaching? A) "My family needs to understand when I can go get the seasonal flu shot." B) "I need to know how to treat my infections in a home setting." C) "I need to understand how to give my platelet transfusions." D) "My family needs to understand that I'll probably need lifelong treatment."
D (Feedback: The patient must be made aware that all health-related instructions are lifelong. Immunizations may be contraindicated and infection usually requires inpatient treatment. Platelet transfusions are not indicated for most patients who have immunodeficiencies.)
