Immune System Flashcards
Bone Marrow
where blood cells including stem cells (erythrocytes, leukocytes, thrombocytes) are produced
Two types of white blood cells
Granulocytes and Agranulocytes
Granulocytes
eat bacteria and secrete toxins to fight of all pathogens; neutrophils, eosinophil, basophil - end in “PHIL”
neutrophils
immunocompromises: want to know how many neutrophils, ANC test (absolute neutrophil count)
eosinophil
parasites and allergies: elevated in allergic reactions with histamine release
basophil
releases histamines contributing to inflammatory response
agranulocytes
monocytes, lymphocytes
monocytes
activated monocytes = macrophages, eat foreign cells and create antigen to recognize them
lymphocytes
part of adaptive immune response, body learns different pathogens and organisms that it should be fighting against; T cells, B cells, memory cells
T cells
coordinate and attack to directly kill pathogens “Killer T cells”
B cells
produce antibodies
Memory cells
hang around after pathogen (antigen) is gone so they know what it looks like and tells T and B cells what to do/what antibodies
Antigen
protein marker on outside of cell, tells body what belongs and what to attack
antibody
produced specifically for one antigen, looks for foreign body and once found destroys it
active immunity
getting sick, exposure to new organisms, vaccinations, is maintained through adaptive immune responsep
passive immunity
nothing stimulates production of antibodies; immunity only lasts as long as antibodies do; mother to fetus via placenta, breastfeeding, antibody administration (immune globulin)
Antivirals
end in “vir”; acyclovir, ganciclovir, remdesivir
antifungals
end in “zole” except for nystatin; fluconazole
aminoglycosides
abx, gram negative infection, end in “mycin”, monitor for tinnitus, do not administer with penicillin
vancomycin
abx, indicated for sepsis, bad for gut as it also kills good bacteria b/c it is broad spectrum, red-man syndrome if administered too quickly, monitor for ototoxicity and nephrotoxicity, administer over at least 60min, is irritating to veins
fluoroquinolones
abx, end in “floxacin”, all types of infections throughout body, can cause QT prolongation, tendon rupture, decrease effects of phenytoin
Penicillins
abx, end in “cillin”, all infections in body, hard on kidneys (BUN, Cr), common allergy, rash
immunosuppressants
act on immune system to decrease responsiveness, indicated for autoimmune disorders and transplant recipients, makes pt more susceptible to infection, no grapefruit, GI upset (n/v, anorexia, diarrhea), weakness, headache
Inactivate vaccines
Hep A, flu, polio, rabies; are not as strong of an immunity boost, may need series or boosters
Live vaccines
MMR, rotavirus, smallpox, chicken pox, yellow fever; are a bigger immune boost, need consult if immunocompromised or on immunosuppressant
Immune globulins
passive immunity through antibody administration, high risk for reaction, titrated slowly
Contact Precautions on pts with
MRSA, VRE, noroviruses, rotavirus, conjuctivitis, diptheria, herpes, lice, scabies, staph infections, c diif
Droplet precautions on pts with
influenza, pertussis, mumps, rhinovirus, adenovirus, meningitis, strep, rubella, influenza type B, pharyngeal diptheria
Airborne precautions on pts with
TB, measles (rubeola), varicella, SARS, COVID, smallpox
sepsis
a systemic inflammatory reaction to an infection; infection enters into blood stream
sepsis S&S
high lactic acid, metabolic acidosis, leukocytosis, hypotension (d/t vasoilation and increase in capillary membrane permeability = fluid leaking), tachypnea, tachycardia (body trying to compensate for low bp (=low CO)), febrile, fatigue, pale, extreme pain
why does lactic acid elevate in sepsis
body has switched to anaerobic metabolism which means energy is being made without oxygen and lactic acid is the by product/waste of this metabolism
sepsis tx
blood cultures (before abx admin), broad spectrum IV abx within 1 hr, IV fluids, vasopressors
systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)
immune system attacks joints, skin, brain, lungs, kidneys, and blood vessels causing widespread inflammation and tissue damage
Lupus S&S and Tx
fatigue, rashes, fever, pain and swelling in joints, flare ups and remission periods, no cure just symptom management; immunosuppressants, steroids, hydroxychloroquine
Nervous system immune disorders include
Multiple sclerosis, myasthenia gravis, guillain-barre
rheumatoid arthiris
chronic inflammatory disease; leads to destruction of connective tissue and synovial membrane within the joints, has flare ups
Psoriasis
chronic autoimmune T-cell mediated inflammatory skin disease
Grave’s Disease
autoimmune disease with antibodies attacking the thyroid, too much thyroid hormone; high T4 and T3 and low TSH
Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus
body has destroyed beta cells of pancreas that produce insulin leading little to no insulin in the body and high levels of glucose in blood stream
