Chapter 26 Immunologic Emergencies

Question 1

What is absorption in allergic reactions?

Answer 1

Absorption is when foreign material is deposited on and moves into the skin.

Question 2

What is an allergen?

Answer 2

An allergen is a substance that produces allergic symptoms in a patient.

Question 3

What is an allergic reaction?

Answer 3

An allergic reaction is an abnormal immune response the body develops when reexposed to a substance or allergen.

Question 4

What is an anaphylactoid reaction?

Answer 4

An anaphylactoid reaction is an extreme allergic response that does not involve immunoglobulin E antibody mediation. The exact mechanism is unknown, but it may occur without the patient being previously exposed to the offending agent.

Question 5

What is anaphylaxis?

Answer 5

An extreme systemic form of an allergic reaction involving one, two, or more body systems.

Question 6

What is an antibody?

Answer 6

A protein that the body produces in response to an antigen; an immunoglobulin.

Question 7

What is an antigen?

Answer 7

An agent that, when taken into the body, stimulates the formation of specific protective proteins called antibodies.

Question 8

What are basophils?

Answer 8

White blood cells that work to produce chemical mediators during an immune response.

Question 9

What is a biphasic reaction?

Answer 9

A two-phase allergic reaction in which the patient’s symptoms improve and then reappear without being exposed to the trigger (allergen) for a second time; the symptoms can resurface up to 8 or more hours after the initial incident.

Question 10

What are chemical mediators?

Answer 10

Chemicals that work to cause the immune or allergic response; for example, histamine.

Question 11

What are collagen vascular diseases?

Answer 11

A group of autoimmune disorders that affect the collagen in tendons, bones, and connective tissues.

Question 12

What is histamine?

Answer 12

A chemical found in mast cells that, when released, causes vasodilation, capillary leaking, and bronchiole constriction.

Question 13

What is hypersensitivity?

Answer 13

Occurs when a patient reacts with exaggerated or inappropriate allergic symptoms after coming in contact with a substance the body perceives as harmful.

Question 14

What is ingestion?

Answer 14

Eating or drinking materials for absorption through the gastrointestinal tract.

Question 15

What is inhalation in allergic reactions?

Answer 15

When foreign substances are breathed in through the respiratory system.

Question 16

What is injection in allergic reactions?

Answer 16

When the skin is pierced and foreign material is deposited into the skin.

Question 17

What is a local reaction?

Answer 17

When the body limits a response to a specific area after being exposed to a foreign substance.

Question 18

What are mast cells?

Answer 18

Basophils that are located in the tissues.

Question 19

What is a primary response?

Answer 19

The first encounter with the foreign substance that begins the immune response.

Question 20

What are prolonged (persistent) reactions?

Answer 20

Anaphylaxis symptoms that continue over time, with the time frame ranging from 5 to 32 hours.

Question 21

What is pruritus?

Answer 21

Itching.

Question 22

What is scleroderma?

Answer 22

An autoimmune connective tissue disease that causes fibrotic (scar tissue-like) changes to the skin, blood vessels, muscles, and internal organs.

Question 23

What is a secondary response?

Answer 23

The body’s reaction when it is exposed to an antigen for which it already has antibodies, in which it responds by killing the invading substance.

Question 24

What is sensitivity?

Answer 24

The ability to recognize a foreign substance the next time it is encountered.

Question 25

What is systemic lupus erythematosus?

Answer 25

A multisystem autoimmune disease.

Question 26

What is a systemic reaction?

Answer 26

A reaction that occurs throughout the body, possibly affecting multiple body systems.

Question 27

What is urticaria?

Answer 27

Hives. In individuals with pale skin, it typically appears as reddened, elevated patches on the skin (eg, welts); in individuals with dark skin, it may appear as patches of elevated, inflamed skin and skin coloration that is slightly lighter or darker than usual.