Immunity PrepU
A client who has been receiving cortisol as treatment for an illness states he "is constantly developing colds and fevers." What is the nurse's best response to the client? A. "Cortisol inhibits the function of the immune system, making you more susceptible to disease." B. "These symptoms describe side effects to cortisol increases." C. "You should not be leaving your house while taking cortisol." D. "You are focusing on your symptoms and it only seems that you are sick more."
A. "Cortisol inhibits the function of the immune system, making you more susceptible to disease." Cortisol increase inhibits the function of the immune system and can make someone more susceptible to disease.
A mother brings her 18-month-old into the clinic for a well-baby check-up. A nurse will administer measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine (MMR) to the 18-month-old. What dosage will the nurse administer? A. 0.05 mL B. 0.005 mL C. 5 mL D. 0.5 mL
D. 0.5 mL The nurse will administer 0.5 mL. This is the recommended dose for adults and children older than 15 months of age.
The nurse is explaining to a client how an antigen previously encountered elicits a much faster immune response because the body's immune cells "remember" previous encounters with the antigen. The nurse is describing the function of what cells? A. B cells B. T cells C. lymphocytes D. monocytes
A. B cells After being activated, the B cells form memory cells that will produce antibodies for immediate release in the future if the antigen is encountered again. Although lymphocytes, monocytes, and T cells will then join in the battle to destroy the antigen, they do not produce memory cells as the B cells do.
A 36-year-old client is in the clinic for an annual physical. The client asks the nurse, "Should I get a flu shot?" Which is the best response by the nurse? A. "Only if you work around children or the elderly." B. "The flu shot is recommended for all people over 6 months of age." C. "No, you are not in the age range for the flu shot." D. "Do you have any chronic illnesses?"
B. "The flu shot is recommended for all people over 6 months of age." The influenza vaccine is recommended for all people over 6 months of age; therefore the client is in the recommended age range. Ascertaining whether the client has any chronic illnesses is important, but it does not change the recommendation by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. No recommendation suggests that the immunization be given only if the client works around children or the elderly.
A 21-year-old client was diagnosed with HIV 4 years ago, which progressed to AIDS 1 year ago. Now, the client presents with cytomegalovirus. The nurse explains to the client that the infection is caused by a common organism that normally does not cause infection in someone with a healthy immune system. This type of infection is called what? A. HIV infection B. opportunistic infection C. autoimmune infection D. suppression infection
B. opportunistic infection Opportunistic infections involve common organisms that normally do not produce infection unless there is impaired immune function. Although a person with AIDS may live for many years after the first serious illness, as the immune system fails, these opportunistic illnesses become progressively more severe and difficult to treat.
The nurse is caring for a 6-month-old infant with Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome. Which teaching does the nurse provide the parent? A. "Do not encourage a pacifier due to possible oral malformation." B. "Do not use a tub bath for daily cleansing." C. "Do not insert anything in the rectum." D. "Do not use a sponge bath for light cleaning."
C. "Do not insert anything in the rectum." Children with Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome should not be given rectal suppositories or temperatures since these children are at a high risk for bleeding. Tub baths are not contraindicated. Pacifiers are not contraindicated in Wiskott-Aldrich but should be kept as sanitary as possible to avoid oral infections.
Which of the following is a age-related change associated with the immune system? A. Improved ability to differentiate "self" from "nonself" B. Increased antibody production C. Elevated phagocytic immune response D. Decreased antibody production
D. Decreased antibody production Age-related changes associated with the immune response include decreased antibody production, suppressed phagocytic immune response, and a failure of immune system to differentiate "self" from "nonself."
The nurse is caring for a neonate whose mother received no medical care for either of her pregnancies. When assessing the neonate's status, which would indicate a potential A, B, and O incompatibility? A. Hypothyroidism B. Electrolyte deficiencies C. Abnormal bleeding D. Hemolytic anemia
D. Hemolytic anemia Antibody screens are done to recognize women who may be at risk of developing antigen incompatibilities with fetal red blood cells. If the incompatibility develops, and is not addressed quickly, the neonate may develop hemolytic anemia as the mother's antibodies cross the placenta and attack the fetus's red blood cells. Hypothyroidism can affect the fetus's nervous system. Dehydration may lead to electrolyte deficiencies. Abnormal bleeding is less common due to the initiation of Vitamin K.
You are caring for a client on tube feedings. The physician has ordered Osmolite HN as the feeding formula for the client. The family asks why the physician has ordered Osmolite HN instead of another formula to feed their family member. What is an important reason that tube-feeding formulas, such as Impact, Osmolite HN, or Peractive, be recommended to clients? A. To stimulate the immune system to attack tumor cells B. To block tumor necrosis factor C. To suppress immune system function D. To enhance the production of lymphocytes and NK cells
D. To enhance the production of lymphocytes and NK cells Immune-enhancing tube-feeding formulas enhance the production of lymphocytes and NK cells, resulting in increased cell-mediated immunity. Drugs such as azathioprine, cyclosporine, and muromonab-CD3 suppress immune system function, while infliximab and etanercept minimize inflammation by blocking tumor necrosis factor. Aldesleukin is used as biologic therapy for clients who do not respond to conventional cancer treatment. Aldesleukin stimulates the immune system's ability to attack tumor cells.
A client that is HIV+ has been diagnosed with Pneumocystis pneumonia caused by P. jiroveci. What medication does the nurse expect that the client will take for the treatment of this infection? A. Fluconazole B. Amphotericin B C. Nystatin D. Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole
D. Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole To prevent and treat Pneumocystis pneumonia, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (Bactrim, Septra) is prescribed. The other medications are antifungals and used to treat candidiasis.
