ATI RN
Immune System Medication Questions
Question 1 of 5
The patient has arrived in the short stay unit for an infusion of tositumomab with 131 tositumomab (Bexxar). Before beginning the infusion, the nurse assesses the patient's vital signs and finds the patient has a temperature of 101.5°F, What is the nurse's priority action?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D: Treating the fever before beginning the therapy. Fever can be a sign of infection or other serious underlying issues. Before starting the infusion, it is crucial to address the fever to prevent potential complications. The step-by-step rationale is: 1. Assess the patient's vital signs - In this case, the patient has a temperature of 101.5°F. 2. Recognize the significance of fever - Fever can indicate infection or other health concerns. 3. Prioritize patient safety - Treating the fever before starting the infusion ensures the patient's well-being. 4. Prevent potential adverse reactions - Infusing tositumomab with a fever could exacerbate the patient's condition. 5. Collaborate with the healthcare team - Once the fever is treated, the therapy can be safely initiated. Incorrect Choices: A: Holding the infusion until the patient is afebrile - This delays necessary treatment and does not address the underlying issue causing
Question 2 of 5
The nurse is caring for a patient who has a diagnosis of chronic hepatitis B infection and has been prescribed an immune stimulant. After teaching the patient about the treatment plan, how might the nurse evaluate the effectiveness of teaching?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D because the patient being able to state specific measures to avoid adverse effects demonstrates a comprehensive understanding of the treatment plan. This indicates that the patient not only understands the benefits of the medication but also the potential risks associated with it. This knowledge is crucial in ensuring the patient's safety and well-being throughout the treatment. A, B, and C are incorrect because knowing where to get the medication, who will administer it, and what positive effects to watch for are important aspects of medication management but do not directly assess the patient's understanding of potential adverse effects and safety measures. The focus should be on ensuring that the patient is well-informed about how to prevent and manage any negative outcomes related to the treatment.
Question 3 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 4 of 5
The nurse teaches the female patient receiving immune modulating drugs about the need to use barrier contraceptives. The patient says, I hate using barrier contraceptives. Why can't I just take oral contraceptives? What is the nurse's best response?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Effects of oral contraceptives may be altered by liver changes or changes in immune response. Rationale: 1. Immune modulating drugs can affect liver function, potentially altering the metabolism of oral contraceptives. 2. Liver changes can impact the effectiveness of oral contraceptives by either increasing or decreasing their levels in the body. 3. Changes in immune response can also interfere with the hormonal balance maintained by oral contraceptives, leading to decreased efficacy. 4. Barrier contraceptives are recommended to prevent unintended pregnancies due to the potential interactions between immune modulating drugs and oral contraceptives. Summary of other choices: B: Incorrect. Oral contraceptives do not increase the action of immune modulating drugs; they may interact with them due to changes in metabolism. C: Incorrect. Immune modulators can affect oral contraceptives through liver metabolism rather than hormonal impact. D: Incorrect. High-estrogen pills are not the only option if barrier contrace
Question 5 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.