Nur 138 Exam 1 Flashcards
(193 cards)
What is the normal immune response?
It’s how the body defends against pathogens, such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, and other foreign invaders.
Innate Immune Response
Physical & chemical barriers –> the skin and mucous membranes, and chemical barriers like stomach acid and enzymes prevent pathogens from entering the body.
Phagocytosis –> phagocytes ( neutrophils and macrophages) engulf and digest pathogens.
Inflammation –> when tissue is damaged or there’s an infection, the body responds with inflammation.
Complement system –> a group of proteins that help antibodies and phagocytes clear pathogens more effectively.
Adaptive Immune Response
Antigen recognition –> T cells and B cells recognize specific antigens through receptors. B cells produce antibodies that can neutralize pathogens. T cells kill them.
Clonal expansion –> once an immune cell recognizes an antigen, it undergoes clonal expansion, producing a large number of identical cells.
Memory Cells –> these “remember” the pathogen providing LT protection.
Cell-mediated immunity –> T cells play a crucial role in cell-mediated immunity. They can directly kill infected cells.
Lifespan Immunity
baby –> protected for 2 months by the mom if breastfeeding, then decreases rapidly.
Toddler / kid –> immunity builds
Adult = strong immunity, slight decrease in pregnancy
older adult = decreases with age
Active immunity
long lasting, often lifelong and takes several weeks to develop
Passive immunity
immediate protection, but lasts only weeks or months
IgM
Primary Immunity
Found 48-72 hrs after an antigen enters the body.
Produces the antibody activity against rheumatoid factors, gram-negative organisms, and the ABO blood group.
Does not pass through the placental barrier.
IgG
Major immunoglobulin (what is passed between Mom and Baby)
the IgG response is longer and stronger than that of other immunoglobulins.
IgA
Protects mucous membranes, therefore protects respiratory, GI & GU tracts, tears, and saliva.
Those having IgA deficiency are prone to autoimmune disease.
IgD
Role unknown
IgE
increases during allergic reactions, anaphylaxis
Diagnostic Tests for hypersensitivity
WBC with differential
Radioallergosorbent test (RAST)
Blood type and cross match
Indirect and direct Coombs test
Immune complex assays
Complement assays
Skin testing
Independent nursing actions for a client with a compromised immune system
Assure proper nutrition
Adequate exercise
Sleep
Stress Reduction & Mgmt
What is a Central Venous Cather?
A catheter that is inserted into a large vein that is really close to the heart
(inferior & Superior Vena Cava). Usually insert at the subclavian or internal jugular.
Can be done in the femoral, but not usually because of the high risk of infection.
Why use a CVC?
To give meds that are highly irritating (the volume of blood in the big veins then dilutes the irritating meds)
Multiple meds
High volume
Patient is hemodynamically unstable - so need lots of fluids at a high pressure.
Nutrition / TPN
Temporary hemodialysis
Care for a CVC
10mL flushes to maintain patency
Push / Pull method for blood return. Do NOT use this for blood cultures due to false positives.
Clean, Dry, Intact dressing
chlorhexadine wipes
Pressure caps
Inflammatory Response
- Recognize that there’s a pathogen.
- release inflammatory mediators, such as cytokines/chemokines / histamines.
- Vasodilation - blood vessels widen and increase blood flow, which leads to the major S&S of inflammation: Redness, Heat, Swelling, Pain, Loss of function.
- Neutrophils & phagocytes rush to the scene
- Phagocytosis : the neutrophils and phagocytes eat the pathogens.
- Resolution and tissue repair
- Adaptive immune Response: B cells produce antibodies to neutralize pathogens; T cells coordinate the immune response and kill infected cells.
- Resolution & return to homeostasis.
Identify assessment findings indicative of a systemic reaction to inflammation
Fever
Tachycardia (increased HR)
Tachypnea (rapid breathing)
Hypotension
Altered mental status
Leukocytosis (elevated WBCs)
Increased RR
Oliguria or Anuria
Nursing care of a client with anaphylactic shock
Maintain airway and breathing
Place patient in Fowler / High Fowler
Assess respiratory status / O2 per NC
Administer epinephrine
Establish IV access
Monitor vital signs
Reassess frequently
Chain of Infection
o Starts with an Infectious agent…..
o Finds a reservoir (such as a human body) where the pathogen lives and multiples.
Could be a body of water or another living creature
o Then the virus leaves the reservoir through a portal of exit
think of respiratory fluids and the flu
o Then there’s the mode of transmission – which is how the pathogen gets to the portal of entry (how it gets from one place to the other).
Direct, indirect, or airbone
o Next, it has to enter the body through a portal of entry
mouth, nose, eyes, throat, genitalia
o And then the virus looks for a host to spread the pathogen.
Stages of infection
o Incubation period = time from when the pathogen first gets into the body until when it makes it’s presence known.
If there’s a long incubation period, you might be contagious before you even know you’re sick
Active replication, no symptoms
o Prodromal Stage = when you start to feel sick
Nonspecific symptoms
o Illness phase = actual symptoms related to the infection (when you’re sick!)
Pathogens proliferate
Note that very old / alcoholics may respond with hypothermia
o Convalescence stage= when you are getting better. It could take a very long time.
Risk Factors for Infection
Medical therapies such as radiation treatments, diagnostic procedures
Diseases that lower the body’s defenses such as COPd, PVD, Burns, Diabetes, Immune System Diseases
Age and heredity
Newborns have immature immune systems, are protected by IgGs from the mom, and begin to develop their own immune system at 1-3 months of age.
Nursing Actions that decrease risk of infections
Use sterile technique when appropriate
Effective hand hygiene
Critical thinking, agency policy
Invasive procedures and equipment should be used only when absolutely necessary.
Common methods of infection transmission in adults
Direct contact
indirect contact
Respiratory droplets
Airborne transmission
Fecal-oral transmission
vector-borne transmission
Sexual transmission
Bloodborne transmission
vertical transmission (mother to baby)
Zoonotic transmission (animals to humans)
Food & waterborne