ATI RN
Immune System Drugs Questions
Question 1 of 5
The nurse is caring for a young adult woman taking immune modulating medications who has been advised to use barrier contraceptives but she wants to start her family. What information can the nurse provide about these drugs to help this patient with her decision-making?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Rationale: A: Correct. The nurse should advise the patient to discuss her desire to start a family with her healthcare provider. By doing so, the provider can assess the risks, adjust the medication regimen if necessary, and provide guidance on how to proceed safely during pregnancy. B: Incorrect. Discontinuing immune modulating drugs abruptly can have negative consequences on the patient's health. It is important to have a healthcare provider manage any necessary adjustments to the medication. C: Incorrect. While some immune modulating drugs may have potential risks during pregnancy, not all are highly teratogenic. Each drug should be evaluated individually. D: Incorrect. While pregnancy may require adjustments to the medication regimen, it is not necessarily ruled out as an option. Adoption is a personal choice and should not be presented as the only alternative.
Question 2 of 5
The nurse advises human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-positive patients about blood draws to obtain a CD4+ count. What is the correct information to give them about when and how this laboratory blood work should be done?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A because obtaining CD4+ counts at the same laboratory and around the same time of day whenever possible ensures consistency in results. This consistency is important for tracking disease progression and treatment efficacy. Choice B, fasting, is irrelevant to CD4+ counts. Choice C, after taking antiretroviral medications, may affect the results due to potential drug interference. Choice D, any laboratory at any time, lacks consistency and may lead to inaccurate comparisons over time. Thus, choice A is the most appropriate for accurate monitoring of HIV-positive patients.
Question 3 of 5
Which virus has been associated with posttransplant lymphoproliferative disorder?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Rationale for Correct Answer C (Epstein-Barr virus) - Posttransplant lymphoproliferative disorder (PTLD) is commonly associated with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) due to its ability to induce uncontrolled lymphocyte proliferation in immunocompromised individuals. EBV is known to cause PTLD in transplant recipients. Summary of Incorrect Choices: A (Cytomegalovirus) - Although cytomegalovirus can cause complications in transplant recipients, it is not directly associated with PTLD. B (Herpes simplex virus) - Herpes simplex virus does not typically cause PTLD in transplant recipients. D (Human immunodeficiency virus) - HIV can lead to immunosuppression, but it is not directly linked to PTLD.
Question 4 of 5
Your patient taking belatacept becomes pregnant. After discussion with her partner, you, and her health care provider, she decides the best thing to do is continue taking the drug while pregnant. In addition to making this informed decision, what else should she do?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Step 1: Continuing all other drugs as prescribed ensures that the patient's underlying medical conditions are properly managed during pregnancy. Step 2: Discontinuing other drugs could lead to uncontrolled health issues, posing risks to both the mother and the fetus. Step 3: Stopping belatacept immediately without medical guidance could result in rejection of a transplanted organ. Step 4: Consulting with a genetic counselor is not necessary in this scenario as the primary concern is managing the patient's medical conditions during pregnancy.
Question 5 of 5
The nurse is preparing to administer varicella vaccine to a young woman. Which of the following findings has the greatest implication for this young woman's care?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D because administering the varicella vaccine to a pregnant woman can pose risks to both the woman and the fetus. Varicella vaccine is a live attenuated vaccine and is contraindicated during pregnancy due to the potential risk of transmitting the virus to the fetus. This can lead to congenital varicella syndrome, which can cause serious birth defects. Choice A is not the correct answer as fear of needles can be managed with appropriate nursing interventions. Choice B is not the correct answer because while the varicella vaccine is produced in chick embryo cell cultures, the risk of an allergic reaction in someone with a history of egg allergy is low. Choice C is not the correct answer as a history of leukemia as a child is not a contraindication to receiving the varicella vaccine.