Immunology

Question 1

What is the Immune System?

Answer 1

• body’s defense against infectious organisms and other invaders
• multibody system components/processes: lymphatic system, cardiovascular system, integumentary system, respiratory/digestive/reproductive systems

Question 2

The Lymphatic System

Answer 2

• network of tissues and organs that help rid of toxins, waste, and other unwanted materials in the body
• lymphatic ducts and lymph nodes: transport/filter lymph and help mount an immune response
• spleen: filters/recycles RBC’s and detects infectious material in blood
• liver: detects/detoxifies infectious material in blood; immune system cool down
• tonsils and MALTS: mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue; small concentrations of lymphoid tissue in mucosal membranes that have specialized immunity for pathogens that membrane will encounter
• thymus: develop/nurture T-cells and B-cells
• bone marrow: develop/nurture T-cells and B-cells

Question 3

Innate Immunity

Answer 3

• less-specific defense mechanism that is body’s first line of defense- initiates inflammatory response
• external barricades: skin, mucous membranes
• chemical barriers: stomach acid, mucous production, defense peptides
• internal defenses: phagocytes, NK T-cells, mast cells, chemical signals; fever, pus, redness, swelling, pain, vasodilation

Question 4

Immune System Spectrum

Answer 4

innate - innate-like - adaptive

Question 5

Adaptive Immune System

Answer 5

• pathogen-specific (antigen) recognition through antigen specific receptors
• humoral immunity = target and establish memory of specific pathogens in blood/fluids flowing through the body extracellularly
• cell-mediated immunity = target and establish memory of specific pathogens within cells via cell to cell contact and the detection of antigen presentation of infected cells; kills intracellular pathogens

Question 6

Innate vs. Adaptive

Answer 6

• innate immunity is usually established from birth and response faster to pathogens
• less-specific recognition vs. pathogen-specific recognition
• establishment of memory

Question 7

Allergies

Answer 7

• exaggerated immune response to something that usually is nonpathogenic
• reaction is not from allergen, but from body trying to fight it
• symptoms: sneezing, itchy/runny nose, cough, stomach ache, SOB, swelling, hives
• routes of exposure: inhalation, ingestion, absorption, envenomation/injection

Question 8

Allergies - Assessment and Treatment

Answer 8

• remove allergen if possible
• remove jewelry for localized swelling
• OPQRSTI and SAMPLE

Question 9

Anaphylaxis

Answer 9

• serious life-threatening hypersensitive systemic allergic reaction that compromises two or more body systems
• first exposure establishes memory to allergen (as if it were a pathogen); gives mast cells ability to recognize allergen
• consequent exposure is quickly recognized by mast cells that mass produce histamine by degranulation

Question 10

Histamine

Answer 10

• the main compound involved in an anaphylactic reaction

- vasodilation, bronchospasm, edema, urticaria/itchiness

Question 11

Anaphylaxis - List of Symptoms

Answer 11

• hypertension, tachycardia, dyspnea, urticaria, angioedema

Question 12

Sepsis

Answer 12

= systemic infection when pathogenic material enters the blood stream and triggers a body-wide inflammatory response

• blood normally does not carry pathogenic material
• eventually can lead to septic shock

Question 13

Sepsis Symptoms

Answer 13

• hypotension, elevated body temp, tachycardia, tachypnea, pain, AMS

Question 14

Nosocomial Diseases

Answer 14

• hospital acquired infections

- ex) UTI’s, surgical site infections, hospital-acquried pneumonia,