Immune System Agents

Question 1

Focal infection

Answer 1

the root infection of the systemic infection (a dental abscess could be the focal infection of bacterial endocarditis that leads to multi-organ failure/sepsis)

Question 2

Primary and Secondary Infections

Answer 2

A primary infection can weaken a body so that a second infection caused by a different organism can invade

Question 3

Super infection

Answer 3

a secondary infection caused because of the action of an antimicrobial that has wiped out/weakened the normal flora that normally keeps the invading organism in check

Question 4

Incubation stage of Infectious Disease

Answer 4

• infected patient is unaware of it
• length of time the illness signs/symptoms varies by organism and immune system of host as well as external/internal stresses to host.
• infection can be spread

Question 5

Prodromal period of infectious disease

Answer 5

• short interval preceding the infectious disease
• patient feels ill or like they are “coming down with something”
• is caused, in part, by the rapid response by the immune system. (going into inflammatory phase)

Question 6

Illness phase of infectious disease

Answer 6

• incline of illness (time of greatest s&s specific to the pathogen
• decline of illness (patient has turned the corner in terms of s&s

Question 7

Convalescence stage of infectious disease

Answer 7

• pathogen replication has stopped and pathogens are dying off or becoming inactive
• body is regaining its pre-illness strength

Question 8

Pathogens we encounter and how we treat them

Answer 8

• Bacteria (antibacterials; vaccines)
• Viruses (antivirals; antiretrovirals; antiyeasts)
• Fungi (antifungals; antiyeasts)
• Protozoa and malaria parasites (antimalarials; some antibiotics)
• GI parasites (antihelminths)

Question 9

Pharmacological responses must be…

Answer 9

to utilize body’s defenses or temper a normal biological response.
- immune system can be stimulated or depressed

Question 10

Acquired immunity

Answer 10

active: exposure to antigen or antigenic proteins (vaccines) - population health perspective and vaccinations (herd immunity)
passive: antibody injection, gamma globulin (a substance made from the human blood plasma)

Question 11

Allergies

Answer 11

Antihistamines and allergy desensitization

Question 12

Autoimmune (hyper-immune responses)

Answer 12

• immune suppressant drugs (prednisone, DMARDs, cyclosporine)

Question 13

Fever Response

Answer 13

antipyretics

Question 14

Prototype Drug-vaccines

Answer 14

hepatitis B vaccine

Question 15

Mechanism of Action - hep B vaccine

Answer 15

vaccine, to provide active immunity

Question 16

Primary use: hep b vaccine

Answer 16

individuals who are at risk of exposure to hep B virus

Question 17

Adverse effects of hep b vaccine

Answer 17

pain and inflammation at injection site, transient fever or fatigue, potential for hypersensitivity

Question 17

Adverse effects of hep b vaccine

Answer 17

pain and inflammation at injection site, transient fever or fatigue, potential for hypersensitivity

Question 18

Prototype Drug: immunostimulant - Interferon

Answer 18

interferon alpha-2a (Intron A)

Question 19

Mechanism of action: interferon

Answer 19

enhances or stimulates immune system to remove antigens, suppress growth of cancer cells, antiviral activity

Question 20

Primary use of interferon

Answer 20

to remove hair-cell leukemia, chronic hepatitis C infection, or malignant melanoma

Question 21

Adverse effects: interferon

Answer 21

flu-like symptoms, also nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, anorexia, headache, dizziness, fever

Question 22

Immune Globulin

Answer 22

• immune globulin is antibody specific to an antigen
• source is from donated human blood
• immunoglobulin is available for Hep A and B, measles, rabies, Rhesus factor, tetanus, varicella, cytomegalovirus

Question 23

Immunosuppressants

Answer 23

• inhibit client’s immune system
• used for patients with severe autoimmune disease when the body has hyperactive immune response. or used to prevent tissue rejection following transplant
• toxic to bone marrow (low blood cell count, fatigue, less oxygen carrying capacity, cyanosis)

Question 24

greatest risk when administering immunosuprressant

Answer 24

- infection, decreased WBC, RBC, and platelet

Question 24

greatest risk when administering immunosuprressant

Answer 24

- infection, decreased WBC, RBC, and platelet

Question 25

Prototype Drug: Immunosuppressant

Answer 25

Cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune)

Question 26

Mechanism of action: cyclosporine

Answer 26

to inhibit helper T cells

Question 27

Primary use: cyclosporine

Answer 27

for transplant recipients

Question 28

Adverse effects: cyclosporine

Answer 28

75% of patients experience reduction in urine flow. Infections, tremor, hypertension, elevated hepatic enzymes

Question 29

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs

Answer 29

are the primary drugs for the treatment of mild to moderate inflammation - block inflammation by inhibiting cyclooxygenase, the key enzyme in the biosynthesis of prostaglandins (which promote inflammation)

Question 30

Anti-Inflammatory Drugs - NSAIDS | - prototype

Answer 30

Ibuprofen (advil, motrin)

Question 31

Mechanism of action: ibuprofen

Answer 31

inhibit prostaglandin synthesis

Question 32

Primary use: ibuprofen

Answer 32

for musculoskeletal disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis, mild to moderate pain, reduction in fever, dysmenorrhea

Question 33

Pharmacological Management: NSAIDS

Answer 33

- obtain baseline kidney-and-liver-function tests, CBC - monitor bleeding time with long-term administration - assess for changes in pain, reduction in temperature and inflammation - assess for gastrointestinal bleeding, hepatitis, nephrotoxicity, hemolytic anemia - Use NSAIDs cautiously in elderly clients - potential increased bleeding - Aspirin is contraindicated in pediatric clients

Question 34

Adverse side effects: ibuprofen

Answer 34

- Adverse effects: nausea, heartburn, GI bleeding, dizziness

Question 35

Systemic Glucocorticoids

Answer 35

- anti-inflammatory drugs that can suppress severe cases of inflammation - suppress histamine release - inhibit synthesis of prostaglandins - suppress certain functions of phagocytes and lymphocytes.

Question 36

Glucocorticoid Prototype Drug:

Answer 36

Prednisone

Question 37

mechanism of action: prednisone

Answer 37

synthetic glucocorticoid, suppresses histamine

Question 38

Primary use: prednisone

Answer 38

treat inflammation

Question 39

Adverse effects: prednisone

Answer 39

cushing's syndrome. increase risk of infection GI: pain, ulcers, bleeds

Question 40

``` Antipyretics prototype Drug: mechanism of action: primary use; adverse effects: dosage: ```

Answer 40

- acetaminophen - to reduce fever by direct action at level of hypothalamus and dilation of peripheral blood vessels (enables sweating) - to relieve pain an reduce fever (not an anti-inflammatory) - possible liver damage, less gastric irritation - max 4000 mg in 24 hr