Immunity System Flashcards
(77 cards)
1
Q
What is the purpose of the immune system?
A
To act as the body’s own army, in defense against constant stream of possible infections and toxins.
2
Q
What are the two parts of the immune system?
A
The Acquired Immune System and the Innate Immune System.
3
Q
What factors affect the immune response?
A
Age, Nutrition, Stress, Sleep, Underlying medical conditions & Drugs.
4
Q
What nursing implication should be performed before administering immunosuppressant agents?
A
Thorough assessment should be performed.
5
Q
What nursing care should be provided for a client who is immune compromised?
A
Watch for signs and symptoms of infection, such as skin breakdown, cough, sore throat, and diarrhea.
6
Q
What should be monitored in a patient with immune disorders?
A
Monitor the patient for fever, noting its pattern, assess for tender, swollen lymph nodes, and check laboratory values regularly.
7
Q
What should be explained to a client with immune disorders?
A
How acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) affects the immune response and makes him susceptible to opportunistic infection.
8
Q
How is the human body often described in terms of immunity?
A
Being ‘at war’.
9
Q
What are five things the human body is constantly under attack from?
A
Toxins, bacteria, fungi, parasites, and viruses.
10
Q
What is the function of the immune system?
A
To protect the body from harmful agents and keep it safe.
11
Q
What are five components of the immune system?
A
Specific cells, Lymphatic organs, thymus, spleen, tonsils, lymph nodes, Diffuse lymphatic tissue.
12
Q
What are examples of lymphatic organs?
A
Thymus, spleen, tonsils, lymph nodes.
13
Q
Where are lymph nodes present?
A
Auxiliary nodes in armpits and inguinal nodes in groin.
14
Q
What is the size of lymph nodes?
A
Small (1-25 mm) round structures.
15
Q
Where are tonsils located?
A
In back of mouth on either side.
16
Q
Name three organs of the lymphatic system.
A
Thymus, Red Bone Marrow & Spleen.
17
Q
Where is the thymus located?
A
Along trachea behind sternum in upper-thorax.
18
Q
What is the function of red bone marrow?
A
Site of origin of all types of blood cells.
19
Q
What are the two different parts of the spleen?
A
Red pulp & white pulp.
20
Q
What is the function of the red pulp in the spleen?
A
To filter the blood.
21
Q
What is GALT?
A
Gut-Associated Lymphatic Tissue.
22
Q
Name three different types of immunity.
A
Innate Immune System, Acquired Immune System & Innate immune system.
23
Q
What is the innate immune system?
A
Always working to protect the body and does not require any special preparation to stop infection.
24
Q
What is innate immunity?
A
Refers to nonspecific defense mechanisms that come into play immediately or within hours of an antigen’s appearance in the body.
25
Give four examples of innate immune responses in the blood.
Complementary system, Phagocytes, Natural killer cells & Fever.
26
What is an antigen?
Foreign substance or component of cell that stimulates an immune response.
27
What is an antibody?
Specific protein produced in a humoral response to bind with an antigen.
28
What is an autoantibody?
Antibodies against a self-antigen; attacks body's own tissues.
29
What is the function of bone marrow?
Source of stem cells, leukocytes, and maturation of B lymphocytes.
30
What is the function of the thymus?
Gland located in the mediastinum, large in children, decreasing size in adults; site of maturation and proliferation of lymphocytes.
31
What is the function of lymphatic tissue?
Contains many lymphocytes; filters body fluids, removes foreign matter, part of immune response.
32
Name two types of white blood cells.
Neutrophils & Mast cells.
33
What is the function of neutrophils?
For phagocytosis; nonspecific defense; active in inflammatory process.
34
What is the function of mast cells?
Release chemical mediators such as histamine in connective tissue.
35
What is the function of B lymphocytes?
Humoral immunity–activating cell becomes an antibody-producing plasma cell or a B memory cell.
36
What is the function of plasma cells?
Develop from B lymphocytes and secrete specific antibodies.
37
What is the function of T lymphocytes?
White blood cells: cell-mediated immunity.
38
What is the function of cytotoxic or killer T cells?
Destroy antigens, cancer cells, virus-infected cells.
39
Give six factors affecting the immune response.
Age, Nutrition, Stress, Sleep, Underlying medical conditions & Drugs.
40
Give five side effects of NSAIDs.
Gastrointestinal, Renal, Salicylate Toxicity, Dyspepsia & Heartburn.
41
Give five nursing implications of NSAIDs.
Before beginning therapy, assess for conditions that may be contraindications to therapy, Assess also for conditions that require cautious use, Perform laboratory studies as indicated, Perform a medication history to assess for potential drug interactions & Salicylates are NOT to be given to children under age 12 because of the risk of Reye’s syndrome.
42
Give four client teaching points about NSAIDs.
Take with food/milk, Check stools for blood, Report stomach pain & Report to other health care providers (ie dentist).
43
What are immunosuppressants?
Agents that decrease or prevent an immune response, thus suppressing the immune system.
44
Give five nursing implications of immunosuppressants.
Thorough assessment should be performed before administering these agents, Monitor WBC counts throughout therapy, Oral immune-suppressants should be taken with food to minimize GI upset, Oral antifungal agents are usually given with these agents to treat oral candidiasis that may occur & Clients taking immune-suppressants should be encouraged to take measures to reduce the risk of infection.
45
What is AIDS?
A CD4+ cell count below 200 cells/μl or when a patient has an opportunistic infection in the setting of HIV infection.
46
What is the cause of AIDS?
Caused by infection with HIV, a retrovirus present in body fluids, such as blood and semen.
47
Give five modes of HIV transmission.
Sexual contact, Transfusion of contaminated blood or blood products, Use of contaminated needles, Placental transmission from an infected mother to a fetus & Breast milk from an infected woman.
48
Give three risk factors of AIDS.
Sexual contact with someone who has AIDS or is at risk for it, Present or past abuse of I.V. drugs & Transfusion of blood or blood products.
49
Give four clinical manifestations of primary infection (acute HIV).
Most people infected by HIV develop a flu-like illness within a month or two after the virus enters the body & Dramatic drops in CD4 T-cell counts.
50
Give two clinical manifestations of clinical latent infection (chronic HIV).
Persistent swelling of lymph nodes occurs during this stage & HIV remains in the body and in infected white blood cells.
51
Give seven clinical manifestations of symptomatic HIV infection.
Fever, Fatigue, Swollen lymph nodes, Diarrhea, Weight loss, Oral yeast infection & herpes zoster.
52
Give eight clinical manifestations of infections associated with AIDS.
Coma, Mental symptoms such as confusion and forgetfulness, Seizures and lack of coordination, Coughing and shortness of breath, Difficult or painful swallowing, Fever, Extreme fatigue, Severe headaches, Nausea, abdominal cramps and vomiting, Severe, persistent diarrhea, Vision loss & Weight loss.
53
Give two diagnostic tests for AIDS.
CD4+ less than 200 & Enzyme immuno assay and a confirmatory Western blot assay detect HIV antibodies to diagnose HIV infection.
54
Give two medical managements for AIDS.
Primary therapy for HIV infection includes antiretroviral drugs & Treatment with zidin (antiviral) effectively slows the progression of HIV infection.
55
Give four examples of nutrition therapy for AIDS.
A healthy diet tailored to meet the nutritional needs of the patient is important, Patients with diarrhea should consume a diet low in fat, lactose, insoluble fiber, and caffeine and high in soluble fiber, Calorie counts should be obtained to evaluate nutritional status and initiate appropriate therapy for patients experiencing unexplained weight loss & Appetite stimulants can be used in patients with AIDS related anorexia.
56
Give seven examples of nursing management for AIDS.
Watch for signs and symptoms of infection, such as skin breakdown, cough, sore throat, and diarrhea, Watch for signs of oral candida infection (thrush), Follow standard precautions as directed by your facility, Offer support in coping with the social impact and discouraging prognosis of AIDS, Evaluate the patient, Explain how acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) affects the immune response & Discuss ways to prevent infection.
57
Give seven AIDS teaching tips.
Explain how acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) affects the immune response and makes him susceptible to opportunistic infection, Discuss ways to prevent infection, Discuss measures to prevent the spread of AIDS, Discuss contraceptive measures with a female patient, Teach the patient about your facility’s infection-control policies and how they’re implemented & Advise the patient to wear medical identification jewelry identifying his allergy or allergies.
58
What is anaphylaxis?
Exaggerated hypersensitivity reaction to a previously encountered antigen.
59
Give eight causes of anaphylaxis.
Systemic exposure to a sensitizing drug or another antigen, such as: Penicillin or other antibiotics, Vaccines, Allergen extracts, Hormones, Sulfonamides, Local anesthetics, Diagnostic chemicals (including radiographic contrast media (dye) containing iodine), Foods; shellfish, fish, milk, eggs, soy & Insect venom.
60
Give eight clinical manifestations of anaphylaxis.
A feeling of impending doom or fright, Weakness, Sweating, Sneezing, Pruritus (itching), Urticaria, Angioedema, Cardiovascular changes, such as hypotension, shock, and arrhythmias & Respiratory signs and symptoms, including swelling of the nasal mucosa, profuse runny nose, nasal congestion, sudden sneezing attacks, and hoarseness, stridor, and dyspnea.
61
Give four examples of medical management for anaphylaxis.
Immediate injection of epinephrine 1:1,000 aqueous solution, Massage the injection site to help the drug move into circulation faster, Severe reactions, when the patient has lost consciousness and is hypotensive, give epinephrine I.V. & if cardiac arrest start CPR and ABC assessment and management.
62
Give five examples of nursing management for anaphylaxis.
Maintain a patent airway, Watch for hypotension and shock, After the initial emergency, give other medications as ordered: epinephrine solution or suspension subcutaneously, corticosteroids and diphenhydramine I.V. & Keep in mind that rapid aminophylline infusion may cause or aggravate severe hypotension.
63
Give five anaphylaxis teaching tips.
To prevent anaphylaxis, teach the patient to Avoid exposure to known allergens, carry an anaphylaxis kit, wear medical identification jewelry identifying his allergy or allergies, Educate patients about carrying an epinephrine auto-injector and using it when needed & Instruct patients to consult an allergist to develop a preventative plan.
64
What is systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)?
A chronic inflammatory disorder of the connective tissue & SLE affects multiple organ systems and can be fatal.
65
What is the prime mechanism associated with SLE?
Autoimmunity.
66
Give four clinical manifestations of SLE.
Facial erythema (butterfly rash), Nonerosive arthritis, Photosensitivity & Episodes — called flares — when signs and symptoms get worse for a while, then improve or even disappear completely for a time.
67
Give two clinical manifestations of SLE in muscles and bones.
Joint pain & small joints of the hand and wrist usually affected.
68
Give two clinical manifestations of SLE in blood.
Anemia is common in children with SLE and develops in about 50% of cases & Low platelet and white blood cell counts may be due to the disease or a side effect of pharmacological treatment.
69
Give four clinical manifestations of SLE in heart.
Pericarditis, Myocarditis, Endocarditis & Atherosclerosis.
70
Give four clinical manifestations of SLE in lungs.
Pleuritic pain as well as inflammation of the pleurae known as pleurisy, Pneumonitis, pulmonary hypertension, pulmonary emboli & pulmonary hemorrhage.
71
Give two clinical manifestations of SLE in kidneys.
Painless passage of blood or protein in the urine may often be the only presenting sign of kidney involvement & Acute or chronic renal impairment may develop with lupus nephritis, leading to acute or end-stage kidney failure.
72
Give seven clinical manifestations of SLE in neuropsychiatric.
Headache, Cognitive dysfunction, mood disorder, cerebrovascular disease, seizures, polyneuropathy, anxiety disorder, psychosis, depression, and in some extreme cases, personality disorders.
73
Give two clinical manifestations of SLE in eyes & systemic.
Dry eye syndrome & Fatigue.
74
Give seven examples of diagnosis of SLE.
Immunological Tests, Complete blood count, Erythrocyte sedimentation rate, Serum electrophoresis, Urine studies, Protein C3 and C4 levels & A chest X-ray.
75
Give four examples of medical management for SLE.
Corticosteroids remain the treatment of choice for systemic symptoms of SLE, Patients with mild disease need little or no medication, Aspirin and other NSAIDs may control arthritis symptoms & Skin lesions require topical treatment.
76
Give eight examples of nursing management for SLE.
Monitor for such signs and symptoms as joint pain or stiffness, weakness, fever, fatigue, and chills, Observe the patient for dyspnea, chest pain, and edema of the arms and legs, Note the size, type, and location of skin lesions, Check the urine for blood, Inspect the scalp for hair loss, and check skin and mucous membranes for petechiae, bleeding, ulcers, pallor, and bruising, Provide a balanced diet, Apply heat packs to relieve joint pain and stiffness & Encourage regular exercise to maintain full range of motion and prevent contractures.
77
Give seven SLE teaching tips.
Tell the patient to avoid crowds and people who might be contagious to minimize the risk of infection, Review range-of-motion exercises and body alignment techniques to help minimize joint pain, Tell the patient to call her practitioner if she develops a fever, cough, or rash or if chest, abdominal, muscle, or joint pain becomes worse, Stress the importance of eating a balanced diet, Emphasize the importance of keeping follow-up appointments, Tell the patient to wear protective clothing and to use sunscreen when she goes outside to help minimize skin flare-ups & Make sure she understands and can maintain her medication regimen.
