Hypersensitivity (Allergy) & Autoimmunity Flashcards
A nurse works in an allergy clinic. What task performed by the nurse takes priority?
a. Checking emergency equipment each morning
b. Ensuring informed consent is obtained as needed
c. Providing educational materials in several languages
d. Teaching clients how to manage their allergies
ANS: A
All actions are appropriate for this nurse; however, client safety is the priority. The nurse should ensure that emergency equipment is available and in good working order and that sufficient supplies of emergency medications are on hand as the priority responsibility. When it is appropriate for a client to give informed consent, the nurse ensures the signed forms are on the chart. Providing educational materials in several languages is consistent with holistic care. Teaching is always a major responsibility of all nurses.
A client is in the preoperative holding area prior to surgery. The nurse notes that the client has allergies to avocados and strawberries. What action by the nurse is best?
a. Assess that the client has been NPO as directed.
b. Communicate this information with dietary staff.
c. Document the information in the clients chart.
d. Ensure the information is relayed to the surgical team.
ANS: D
A client with allergies to avocados, strawberries, bananas, or nuts has a higher risk of latex allergy. The nurse should ensure that the surgical staff is aware of this so they can provide a latex-free environment. Ensuring the clients NPO status is important for a client having surgery but is not directly related to the risk of latex allergy. Dietary allergies will be communicated when a diet order is placed. Documentation should be thorough but does not take priority.
The nurse is caring for clients on the medical-surgical unit. What action by the nurse will help prevent a client from having a type II hypersensitivity reaction?
a. Administering steroids for severe serum sickness
b. Correctly identifying the client prior to a blood transfusion
c. Keeping the client free of the offending agent
d. Providing a latex-free environment for the client
ANS: B
A classic example of a type II hypersensitivity reaction is a blood transfusion reaction. These can be prevented by correctly identifying the client and cross-checking the unit of blood to be administered. Serum sickness is a type III reaction. Avoidance therapy is the cornerstone of treatment for a type IV hypersensitivity. Latex allergies are a type I hypersensitivity.
A nurse suspects a client has serum sickness. What laboratory result would the nurse correlate with this condition?
a. Blood urea nitrogen: 12 mg/dL
b. Creatinine: 3.2 mg/dL
c. Hemoglobin: 8.2 mg/dL
d. White blood cell count: 12,000/mm3
ANS: B
The creatinine is high, possibly indicating the client has serum sickness nephritis. Blood urea nitrogen and white blood cell count are both normal. Hemoglobin is not related.
A client calls the clinic to report exposure to poison ivy and an itchy rash that is not helped with over-the- counter antihistamines. What response by the nurse is most appropriate?
a. Antihistamines do not help poison ivy.
b. There are different antihistamines to try.
c. You should be seen in the clinic right away.
d. You will need to take some IV steroids.
ANS: A
Since histamine is not the mediator of a type IV reaction such as with poison ivy, antihistamines will not provide relief. The nurse should educate the client about this. The client does not need to be seen right away. The client may or may not need steroids; they may be given either IV or orally.
A client with Sjgrens syndrome reports dry skin, eyes, mouth, and vagina. What nonpharmacologic comfort measure does the nurse suggest?
a. Frequent eyedrops
b. Home humidifier
c. Strong moisturizer
d. Tear duct plugs
ANS: B
A humidifier will help relieve many of the clients Sjgrens syndrome symptoms. Eyedrops and tear duct plugs only affect the eyes, and moisturizer will only help the skin.
A client is receiving plasmapheresis as treatment for Goodpastures syndrome. When planning care, the nurse places highest priority on interventions for which client problem?
a. Reduced physical activity related to the diseases effects on the lungs
b. Inadequate family coping related to the clients hospitalization
c. Inadequate knowledge related to the plasmapheresis process
d. Potential for infection related to the site for organism invasion
ANS: D
Physical diagnoses take priority over psychosocial diagnoses, so inadequate family coping and inadequate knowledge are not the priority. The client has a potential for infection because plasmapheresis is an invasive procedure. Reduced activity is manifested by changes in vital signs, oxygenation, or electrocardiogram, and/or reports of chest pain or shortness of breath. There is no information in the question to indicate that the client is experiencing reduced physical activity.
A nurse has educated a client on an epinephrine auto-injector (EpiPen). What statement by the client indicates additional instruction is needed?
a. I dont need to go to the hospital after using it.
b. I must carry two EpiPens with me at all times.
c. I will write the expiration date on my calendar.
d. This can be injected right through my clothes.
ANS: A
Clients should be instructed to call 911 and go to the hospital for monitoring after using the EpiPen. The other statements show good understanding of this treatment.
A client having severe allergy symptoms has received several doses of IV antihistamines. What action by the nurse is most important?
a. Assess the clients bedside glucose reading.
b. Instruct the client not to get up without help.
c. Monitor the client frequently for tachycardia.
d. Record the clients intake, output, and weight.
ANS: B
Antihistamines can cause drowsiness, so for the clients safety, he or she should be instructed to call for assistance prior to trying to get up. Hyperglycemia and tachycardia are side effects of sympathomimetics. Fluid and sodium retention are side effects of corticosteroids.
A client is in the hospital and receiving IV antibiotics. When the nurse rounds on the patient, it is apparent he is having an anaphylactic response:
What action by the nurse takes priority?
a. Administer epinephrine 1:1000, 0.3 mg IV push immediately.
b. Apply oxygen by facemask at 100% and a pulse oximeter.
c. Ensure a patent airway while calling the Rapid Response Team.
d. Reassure the client that these manifestations will go away.
ANS: C
The nurse should ensure the clients airway is patent and either call the Rapid Response Team or delegate this to someone else. Epinephrine needs to be administered right away, but not without a prescription by the physician unless standing orders exist. The client may need oxygen, but a patent airway comes first. Reassurance is important, but airway and calling the Rapid Response Team are the priorities.
A client suffered an episode of anaphylaxis and has been stabilized in the intensive care unit. When assessing the clients lungs, the nurse hears wheezing. What medication does the nurse prepare to administer?
a. Albuterol (Proventil) via nebulizer
b. Diphenhydramine (Benadryl) IM
c. Epinephrine 1:10,000 5 mg IV push
d. Methylprednisolone (Solu-Medrol) IV push
ANS: A
The nurse has auscultated wheezing in the clients lungs and prepares to administer albuterol, which is a bronchodilator, or assists respiratory therapy with administration. Diphenhydramine is an antihistamine. Epinephrine is given during an acute crisis in a concentration of 1:1000. Methylprednisolone is a corticosteroid.
The nursing student is studying hypersensitivity reactions. Which reactions are correctly matched with their hypersensitivity types? (Select all that apply.)
a. Type I Examples include hay fever and anaphylaxis
b. Type II Mediated by action of immunoglobulin M (IgM)
c. Type III Immune complex deposits in blood vessel walls
d. Type IV Examples are poison ivy and transplant rejection
e. Type V Examples include a positive tuberculosis test and sarcoidosis
ANS: A, C, D
Type I reactions are mediated by immunoglobulin E (IgE) and include hay fever, anaphylaxis, and allergic asthma. Type III reactions consist of immune complexes that form and deposit in the walls of blood vessels. Type IV reactions include responses to poison ivy exposure, positive tuberculosis tests, and graft rejection. Type II reactions are mediated by immunoglobulin G, not IgM. Type V reactions include Graves disease and B-cell gammopathies.
Type I reactions are mediated by immunoglobulin E (IgE) and include
hay fever, anaphylaxis, and allergic asthma.
Type III reactions consist of immune complexes that
form and deposit in the walls of blood vessels.
Type IV reactions include responses to
poison ivy exposure, positive tuberculosis tests, and graft rejection.
