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: Rationale for Correct Answer (C): The nurse should instruct the patient to increase fluid intake while taking interferon alfa 2b because this medication can lead to dehydration as a side effect. Increasing fluid intake can help prevent dehydration and support overall well-being during treatment. Dehydration can worsen side effects and impact treatment efficacy. Summary of Incorrect Choices: A: Avoid drinking alcohol while taking the drug - While it is generally advisable to limit alcohol consumption during medical treatment, there is no specific interaction between interferon alfa 2b and alcohol mentioned in the question. B: Continue to maintain maximal physical activity - This choice is not directly related to the medication instructions provided in the question. Excessive physical activity may not always be appropriate for patients undergoing leukemia treatment. D: Treat constipation with over-the-counter laxatives - Constipation is not a common side effect associated with interferon alfa 2b, so using laxatives may not be necessary unless specifically recommended by a healthcare provider.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Alefacept (Amevive). Alefacept is a biologic drug that specifically targets T-cells, which play a crucial role in the pathogenesis of psoriasis. By suppressing T-cell activity, Alefacept helps to reduce the inflammation and proliferation of skin cells seen in psoriasis. Additionally, Alefacept does not impact B-cell function, making it a suitable choice for this patient. Choice B (Azathioprine) is incorrect because it primarily acts on B-cells and is not as effective in targeting T-cells involved in psoriasis. Choice C (Cyclosporine) is incorrect as it is a calcineurin inhibitor that suppresses T-cell activity but also affects B-cells. Choice D (Glatiramer acetate) is incorrect as it is used to treat multiple sclerosis by modulating the immune response but does not specifically target T-cells involved in psoriasis.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: To avoid crowds. Interferon alfa 2b can weaken the immune system, making the patient more susceptible to infections. Avoiding crowds helps reduce the risk of exposure to pathogens. B, increasing salt intake, is incorrect as it is not a recommended action for patients taking interferon alfa 2b. C, decreasing milk intake, is also incorrect as there is no evidence to suggest that milk consumption interferes with the effectiveness of this medication. D, eating three meals a day, is irrelevant to the action needed to manage the side effects of interferon alfa 2b.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: Interferons are proteins released by cells in response to viral infections. Choice D is correct because interferons interfere with viral replication within infected cells by activating antiviral proteins. Choices A, B, and C are incorrect because interferons do not stimulate B-lymphocyte activity, interfere with stem cell multiplication, or stimulate growth and differentiation of lymphocytes. Interferons primarily function as part of the innate immune response to combat viral infections.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: It activates human cellular immunity and inhibits tumor growth. Rationale: 1. Interferon (Aldesleukin) is known to activate the immune system, particularly cellular immunity. 2. By activating cellular immunity, interferon helps the body to recognize and attack tumor cells, inhibiting tumor growth. 3. This mechanism is crucial in fighting metastatic cancer, such as in the patient's case. 4. The other options are incorrect because interferon does not protect autologous tumor cells (A), enhance allogeneic stem-cell transplantation (C), or have a direct proliferative effect on renal tumors (D).