Immune system medication

Question 1

Immune system:

Answer 1

Antigen:
- a bacterium, virus, or foreign protein that invades the body
Antibody:
- special proteins made by the body in response to sensing the foreign antigen
Antigen-antibody response:
- a specific antigen causes the body to produce a specific antibody that reacts specifically with that antigen

Question 2

Types of immunity:

Answer 2

Passive immunity:
- naturally acquired passive immunity
- antibodies pass from mother to infant through breast milk
Artificially acquired passive immunity:
- immunoglobulins are injected into a person who does not have immunity to the antigen

Question 3

Immunomodulator medications:

Answer 3

• biologic or nonbiologic agent which modify the response of the immune system by stimulating or suppressing the production of serum
  Uses:
• patients who are immunosuppressed, have had an organ transplant or autoimmune disease such as lupus, rheumatoid arthritis

Question 4

Example of immunomodulatory medications:

Answer 4

Azathioprine:
- oral dose, close blood monitoring must be maintained as the patient is at risk of an allergic reaction
Methotrexate:
- oral dose, must not be pregnant and must stay hydrated

Question 5

Antibiotics;

Answer 5

• directly kills bacteria
• effective against a wide range of microorganisms, including gram positive and gram-negative bacteria
  Examples:
• Amoxillin - oral, IV topical
• Streptomycin - IM, topical
• Tetracyclin - oral, IV, topical

Question 6

Penicillin:

Answer 6

• main antibiotic use
• used to treat multiply infections
  Adverse reactions:
• neuropathy, high parenteral dose
• skin eruptions, GI symptoms, anaphylaxis
  Allergies:
• cross sensitivity - if a patient is hypersensitive to a type of penicillin, they should not be given any other types of penicillin.

Question 7

Antifungals:1

Answer 7

Uses:
- treat mycotic infections
- fungal-specific medication
- systemic medications
Nursing implications and patient teaching:
- take all medications as ordered, do not stop when symptoms disappear
- avoid alcohol
- report nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, watch for easy bruising, sore throat, rash or fever

Question 8

Anti-inflammatory medications:

Answer 8

• Aspirin
• NSAIDS

Salicylates:
- analgesic, antipyretic and anti-inflammatory effects
- stops the production of prostaglandins
Uses:
- treatment of mild to moderate pain - reduces the risk of myocardial infarction and stroke
- first-line therapy for various forms of arthritis, fever, headaches etc.
Adverse reactions:
- tinnitus, oedema, anorexia, nausea, epigastric discomfort

Question 9

Antiviral medications:

Answer 9

Use for treatment and prophylaxis of:
- Herpes
- HIV
- varicella
- viral hepatitis
- CMV

• work by preventing/interrupting viral replication
  Examples:
• Acyclovir, famcyclovir
• Interferon
• Amantadine
  Adverse effects:
• potential for renal impairment
• headache, nausea and vomiting
• good fluid intake is crucial

Question 10

Antiretrovirals:

Answer 10

Action:
- interfere with the ability of a retrovirus to reproduce or replicate
Uses:
- slow advance of AIDS
- maintain immunity
- prevention of HIV in infants born to HIV-infected mothers
- prevention of HIV in health care workers exposed to HIV
Examples:
- Protease inhibitors - act later in viral life cycle
- Fusion inhibitors - prevent the AIDS virus from invading the WBC
- HIV integrase strand transfer inhibitors - slow the advancement of HIV by blocking the HIV integrase enzyme