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. The priority action is to address the elevated temperature to prevent potential complications during the infusion. Treating the fever first ensures patient safety and minimizes the risk of adverse reactions. Notifying the physician (choice B) is important, but immediate intervention to lower the fever is crucial. Holding the infusion (choice A) until the patient is afebrile is appropriate, but addressing the fever promptly is the priority. Starting the infusion and informing the physician (choice C) without addressing the fever may lead to worsening of the patient's condition.
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 evaluating the patient's understanding of specific measures to avoid adverse effects is crucial when administering an immune stimulant for chronic hepatitis B. This knowledge ensures the patient's safety and helps prevent potential harm. Choices A and B focus on logistical aspects of medication administration, which are important but not as critical for evaluating teaching effectiveness in this situation. Choice C is also relevant, but monitoring positive effects alone does not provide a comprehensive evaluation of the patient's understanding. Therefore, choice D is the most appropriate option for assessing the patient's comprehension and ability to prevent adverse effects.
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 play a key role in the immune response, including stimulating the production and activity of natural killer cells. Natural killer cells are important in fighting infections and cancer. Therefore, when a patient receives interleukins, it leads to an increase in the number of natural killer cells, enhancing the immune response. Choice A is too vague and does not provide specific information about the physiological effects of interleukins. Choice C is incorrect as interleukins actually increase cytokine activity. Choice D is incorrect as flu-like symptoms are a common side effect of interleukin therapy, but it is not the primary physiological effect of interleukins on the immune system.
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 because immune modulating drugs can affect liver enzymes, potentially altering the metabolism of oral contraceptives. This can lead to decreased effectiveness or increased side effects of oral contraceptives. Choice B is incorrect because oral contraceptives do not increase the action of immune modulating drugs, so dosage adjustments are not necessary. Choice C is incorrect because immune modulators do not directly make oral contraceptives ineffective due to hormonal impacts. Choice D is incorrect because high-estrogen pills are not the only option if barrier contraceptives are not preferred; rather, a different form of contraception should be discussed based on individual needs.
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-by-step rationale for the correct answer A: Anakinra (Kineret): 1. Anakinra is an interleukin-1 receptor antagonist used to treat RA by reducing inflammation. 2. It does not suppress the immune system globally, making it safer for a patient with a recent liver transplant. 3. Anakinra can effectively treat RA without compromising the patient's immune system post-transplant. Summary of why other choices are incorrect: B: Adalimumab (Humira) is a tumor necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitor commonly used for RA but poses a risk of immunosuppression post-liver transplant. C: Sirolimus (Rapamune) is an mTOR inhibitor used as an immunosuppressant post-transplant but is not typically prescribed for RA. D: Cyclosporine (Sandimmune) is a calcineurin inhibitor used as an immunosuppressant post-transplant, but it is not indicated