Immunology Flashcards
What is Rhogam and when is it given?
Mom RH-
Baby RH+
Mom attacks future pregnancy
A medication that stops your blood from making antibodies Rh+ blood cells. given at 28 weeks and within 72 hours of delivery. Must be repeated with each pregnancy
Key Points about Vaccines
Immunity is not immediate unless “live” vaccine or immunoglobins.
no vaccine provides permanent immunity
How do glucocorticosteroids affect the immune system? What are the key nursing assessments if the immune system is altered because of the medication?
The mimic the effects of cortisol, a major hormone of the adrenal cortex. immune suppression and respiratory effects.
DO NOT abruptly stop high dose and/or prolonged therapy
Monitor for infection, suppresses the WBC production (low grade fevers important)
DO give according to circadian rhythm if possible, meaning early in the morning
DO give with food, monitor blood sugar and fluid retention
What is the family name for steroids? List common examples
“one” family
“cort” family
dexamethasone
hydrocortisone
prednisone
methylprednisone
What is a common example of a calcineurin inhibitor? What is it used for and what are the BIG side effects?
Cyclosporine PO
non steroid immunosuppressant
Anti rejection med for organ transplant
ADR: nephrotoxicity and increased risk for infection; also topical may be carcinogenic
If a patient is on Cyclosporine for an organ transplant, can they stop that medication?
Not without checking with MD, might have to take this medication for the rest of their life to prevent their body from rejecting the transplant
What is a herbal supplement for improving mood/depression that can interfere with cyclosporine?
St. John’s Wort
What class of drug is methotrexate? What are some of the uses for this medication?
Cytotoxic medication that inhibits folic acid synthesis in the cell.
Chemotherapy agent - used for immunosuppressant therapy, autoimmune disorders, and sickle cell anemia
Nursing Considerations for methotrexate
HIGH ALERT MEDICATION
have second nurse double check original order, calculations and infusion pump settings if IV
double check 5 rights of medication administration
Review colony stimulating factors (hematopoietic medications). Write out the 3 common types and what they specifically stimulate.
Anemia: stimulate RBC - epoetin alpha
Neutropenia: stimulate WBC - figrastim
Thrombocytopenia: stimulate platelets *oprelvekin IL
What are the nursing considerations for a patient who is neutropenic?
Protect from infection:
reverse isolation
private room
limit visitors (NO SICK VISITORS)
no real flowers or plants
What is the general mechanism of action for interferon medications?
belongs to the cytokines group of “signaling proteins”
they are released from infected cells in response to the invasion of toxins (viral, bacterial, parasites, cancer cells)
this causes nearby cells to heighten their defenses to prevent cell replication
What type of illnesses are interferon useful in treating?
chronic vital illnesses
multiple sclerosis
cancer
hepatitis C
What are “MAB” Drugs?
Monoclonal Antibodies
What types of illnesses are MAB medications useful in treating?
cancer treatment
-genetically manufactured to mark specific cancer antigens from different sources. Also used for autoimmune disease such as progressive RA, UC, and crohn’s
