A patient has been diagnosed with hairy cell leukemia. The patient is to begin taking interferon alfa 2b. What will the nurse include in her instructions to the patient concerning this drug?

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: Increase fluid intake while taking the drug. Interferon alfa 2b can cause flu-like symptoms such as fever, chills, and muscle aches, leading to dehydration. Increasing fluid intake helps to prevent dehydration and supports the body's ability to manage these side effects. A: Avoid drinking alcohol while taking the drug - Although it is generally recommended to limit alcohol consumption while taking medications, this is not specifically related to interferon alfa 2b. B: Continue to maintain maximal physical activity - Excessive physical activity may exacerbate the flu-like symptoms caused by interferon alfa 2b, so it is advisable to avoid overexertion. D: Treat constipation with over-the-counter laxatives - Constipation is not a common side effect of interferon alfa 2b, so using over-the-counter laxatives may not be necessary unless specifically advised by a healthcare provider.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Alefacept (Amevive). Alefacept targets T cells by binding to CD2 and inhibiting their activation. This helps suppress both T- and B-cell activity, making it an effective treatment for psoriasis. Azathioprine (B) primarily targets T cells by inhibiting their proliferation but doesn't directly suppress B cells. Cyclosporine (C) targets T cells by inhibiting their activation but doesn't specifically target B cells. Glatiramer acetate (D) is used for multiple sclerosis and doesn't suppress T- and B-cells as required for psoriasis treatment.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: To avoid crowds. Interferon alfa 2b is an immunomodulatory drug that can weaken the immune system, making the patient more susceptible to infections. Therefore, the nurse should encourage the patient to avoid crowds to reduce the risk of exposure to infectious agents. Choice B: To increase salt intake is incorrect because interferon alfa 2b does not require an increase in salt intake. Choice C: To decrease milk intake is incorrect as there is no specific need to decrease milk intake while taking interferon alfa 2b. Choice D: To eat three meals a day is incorrect as it is a general dietary recommendation and not specifically related to taking interferon alfa 2b.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D: Interferons interfere with the ability of viruses in infected cells to replicate. Interferons are proteins produced by cells in response to viral infections. They signal nearby cells to heighten their anti-viral defenses, inhibiting viral replication. Choice A is incorrect because interferons primarily affect viral infections, not B-lymphocyte activity. Choice B is incorrect as interferons do not target stem cells. Choice C is incorrect as interferons do not stimulate the growth and differentiation of lymphoid cells into lymphocytes; rather, they directly inhibit viral replication.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: It activates human cellular immunity and inhibits tumor growth. Interferon (Aldesleukin) is a type of immunotherapy that works by activating the body's immune system to recognize and attack cancer cells. In this case, the interferon is prescribed to treat the metastasis to the right kidney by boosting the patient's immune response against the tumor cells. Autologous tumor cells (choice A) are the patient's own cancer cells and interferon does not protect them. Allogeneic stem-cell transplantation (choice C) involves using donor stem cells and is not related to the mechanism of action of interferon. Interferon does not have a direct proliferative effect on renal tumors (choice D), rather it inhibits tumor growth by enhancing the body's immune response.