ATI RN
Immune System Medication Questions
Question 1 of 5
The nurse, working with a nursing student, is caring for a patient who is to receive interleukins. The student nurse asks you what happens physiologically when a patient receives interleukins. What is the nurse's best response?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: The patient has increases in the number of natural killer cells. Interleukins are a type of cytokine that regulate immune responses, including stimulating the proliferation and activation of natural killer cells. Natural killer cells are important in the body's defense against viruses and cancer. Increased levels of natural killer cells help enhance the immune response. Choice A is too vague and does not provide specific information about the physiological effects of interleukins. Choice C is incorrect because interleukins actually increase cytokine activity. Choice D is incorrect as interleukin therapy can indeed cause flu-like symptoms as a side effect, but it does not lead to the patient getting better directly.
Question 2 of 5
The nurse is caring for a patient diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) who recently underwent a liver transplant. What immunosuppressant could this patient be prescribed that would treat both diagnoses?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Step 1: Anakinra is a recombinant, human interleukin-1 receptor antagonist that is used to treat rheumatoid arthritis by reducing inflammation. Step 2: Anakinra does not have significant liver toxicity, making it suitable for a patient who recently underwent a liver transplant. Step 3: Anakinra targets the immune system to reduce inflammation in RA, making it an appropriate immunosuppressant for the patient. Step 4: Adalimumab (Humira) and Sirolimus (Rapamune) are not typically used to treat RA or liver transplant patients. Step 5: Cyclosporine (Sandimmune) can be used for immunosuppression but has more potential for liver toxicity compared to Anakinra, making it less suitable for this patient.
Question 3 of 5
A recent laboratory results indicated an “undetectable†human immunodeficiency virus viral load. What is the nurse's best response?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D. The nurse should educate the patient about the continued need for medications and ongoing monitoring because an undetectable viral load does not mean the medication stopped working. The virus is suppressed but still present, so adherence to medications is crucial. Choice A is incorrect as an undetectable viral load is a positive outcome. Choice B is incorrect as rescheduling the visit is unnecessary. Choice C is incorrect as simply congratulating the patient does not address the importance of medication adherence and monitoring.
Question 4 of 5
All transplant drugs have the same advisory, to use caution when administering them with another immunosuppressant drug because of the increased risk for:
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D: Infection. When transplant drugs are combined with other immunosuppressant drugs, the immune system is further weakened, increasing the risk of infections. This is because immunosuppressants reduce the body's ability to fight off pathogens. Nausea and vomiting (A), edema (B), and anemia (C) are not directly linked to the interaction between transplant drugs and other immunosuppressants. Infections are the primary concern due to the compromised immune response.
Question 5 of 5
Your patient is receiving basiliximab and develops cytokine release syndrome. You would expect to see:
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Chills. Basiliximab is a monoclonal antibody used to prevent organ rejection by suppressing the immune system. Cytokine release syndrome is a common side effect characterized by the rapid release of cytokines, leading to symptoms such as fever, chills, and flu-like symptoms. Chills specifically indicate an acute systemic inflammatory response, which is a hallmark of cytokine release syndrome. The other choices (A: Coughing, C: Tremors, D: Weakness) are not typically associated with cytokine release syndrome.