Module 13 vaccines and sera

Question 1

BIOLOGICALS: ACTIONS vaccine

Answer 1

Stimulate the
production of
antibodies

Provide
preformed
antibodies to
facilitate an
immune
reaction

React
specifically
with the toxins
produced by an
invading
pathogen

Question 2

Active

Immunity

Answer 2

• The body recognizes a foreign
protein and begins producing
antibodies to react with it

Question 3

Passive

Immunity

Answer 3

• Occurs when preformed antibodies
are injected into the system and
react with a specific antigen

Question 4

USE OF BIOLOGICALS
ACROSS THE LIFESPAN:
CHILDREN

Answer 4

Parents should have a copy
of immunization record
All adverse effects should be
reported
Vaccines may be given in
divided dose to prevent
adverse effects
Encourage parent to provide
comfort measures
Reassurance of safety of
vaccines- provide written
information
Immune sera for specific
exposure

Question 5

USE OF BIOLOGICALS
ACROSS THE LIFESPAN:
ADULTS

Answer 5

Travel
Yearly vaccines
Boosters
High risk groups
Immune sera for
specific exposure

Question 6

USE OF BIOLOGICALS
ACROSS THE LIFESPAN:
OLDER ADULTS

Answer 6

Pneumonia
Yearly influenza
Tetanus booster
Travel
Immune sera for specific exposure
• Increased risk for adverse effects
• Monitor closely

Question 7

IMMUNIZATION

Definition

Answer 7

IMMUNIZATION
Definition
• The process of
artificially
stimulating active
immunity
• Exposes the body
to weakened or
less toxic proteins
associated with
specific disease-
causing
organisms
Goal
• To cause an
immune response
without having
the patient suffer
the full course of
a disease

Question 8

VACCINES: INDICATION

Answer 8

Stimulate active
immunity in people
who are at risk
The vaccines that are
needed depends on
the exposure the
person will have to
pathogens
Vaccines are thought
to provide life-long
immunity

Question 9

VACCINES:

CONTRAINDICATION

Answer 9

In the presence of immune deficiency
During pregnancy
Known allergies to any of the components of the vaccine
Patients receiving immune globulin or who have received blood or blood products
within the last 3 months
Caution with history of:
• febrile convulsions or cerebral injury
• conditions in which high fever would be dangerous
• acute infection
VACCINES:
CONTRAINDICATION
In the presence of immune deficiency
During pregnancy
Known allergies to any of the components of the vaccine
Patients receiving immune globulin or who have received blood or blood products
within the last 3 months
Caution with history of:
• febrile convulsions or cerebral injury
• conditions in which high fever would be dangerous
• acute infection

Question 10

VACCINES Adverse Effects

Drug-Drug Interactions

Answer 10

Fever, chills
Malaise,
Fretfulness,
Drowsiness,
Irritability
Anorexia,
Vomiting
Rash
Pain, Redness,
and Swelling at
the Injection
Site

Drug-Drug Interactions
Immunosuppressant

Question 11

VACCINES: THE NURSING

PROCESS ADPIE

Answer 11

Assessment
• History
• Allergy; pregnancy; recent
administration of immune
globulin or blood products;
immune deficiency; acute
infection
• Physical
• Assess skin; check
temperature; VS; LS; level
of orientation and affect
• Evaluate ROM of extremity
to be used; assess tissue

Question 12

NURSING CONSIDERATIONS
FOR PATIENTS RECEIVING
VACCINES implementation

Answer 12

Do not use to treat infection
• Do not administer if the patient exhibits signs
of acute infection or immune deficiency
• Do not administer if the patient has received
blood, blood products, or immune globulin
within the last 3 months
• Arrange for proper preparation and
administration of the vaccine; check on the
timing and dose of each injection
• Maintain emergency equipment on standby,
including epinephrine
• Arrange for supportive care and comfort
measures for flu-like symptoms and for
injection discomfort
• Do not administer aspirin to children for the
treatment of discomforts associated with the
immunization
• Provide thorough patient teaching
• Provide a written record of the immunization,

Question 13

IMMUNE SERA

Answer 13

Definition
• Sera that contain antibodies to specific bacteria or viruses
Types
• Antitoxin and antivenom
• Immune sera that have antibodies to specific toxins that might be released by invading
pathogens, or to venom from spider or snake bites
Action- Provide passive immunity to a specific

Action- Provide passive immunity to a specific antigen or disease
Used as prophylaxis against specific disease after exposure
May lessen the severity of a disease
Pharmacokinetics- No information available

Question 14

IMMUNE SERA Contraindications

Answer 14

• History of severe reaction to any immune
sera
• Used with caution:
• Pregnancy
• Coagulation defects
• Previous exposure to the immune sera
Adverse effects- rash, nausea,
vomiting, chills, fever, allergic
reaction, chest tightness, decreased
blood pressure, and difficulty
breathing, local reaction- swelling,
tenderness, pain, and muscle
stiffness at the injection site
Drug-drug interactions:
immunosuppressant drugs

Question 15

IMMUNE SERA: THE

NURSING PROCESS Implementation

Answer 15

Implementation
• Do not administer to any patient with a history of severe
reaction to immune globulins or to the components of the
drug being used
• Administer the drug as indicated
• Monitor for severe reactions and have emergency
equipment ready
• Arrange for supportive care and comfort measures for flu-
like symptoms and for the local reaction
• Provide thorough patient teaching
• Provide a written record of immune sera use, and
encourage the patient or family to keep that information
Evaluation
• Monitor the patient’s response to the drug (improvement
in disease signs and symptom