Nokea
A client is taking a corticosteroid for the treatment of systemic lupus erythematosus. When the nurse is providing instructions about the medication to the client, what priority information should be included?
- A. If the client experiences nausea, omit the dose.
- B. The client should be alert for joint aches.
- C. This medication is commonly used for many inflammatory reactions and is relatively safe.
- D. Be alert for signs and symptoms of infection and report them immediately to the physician.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Instruct the client about signs and symptoms of and the increased risk for infection. Instruct the client to report signs and symptoms of infection immediately to the physician. Early treatment promotes a shorter duration of illness and reduced complication. Tell the client to avoid high-risk activities, such as being in crowds, during periods of immunosuppression. The client should not omit a dose if nausea is experienced but instead may take the medication with food. There are many side effects and required laboratory work to detect the side effects from immunosuppressive therapy. Joint aches are vague symptoms and are not a priority for reporting purposes.
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A client with lupus has had antineoplastic drugs prescribed. Why would the physician prescribe antineoplastic drugs for an autoimmune disorder?
- A. To decrease the body's risk of infection
- B. Because an autoimmune disease is a neoplastic disease.
- C. So the client has strong drug therapy
- D. For their immunosuppressant effects
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Drug therapy using anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive agents is the mainstay for alleviating symptoms. Some antineoplastic (cancer) drugs also are used for their immunosuppressant effects. Antineoplastic drugs do not decrease the body's risk of infection; an autoimmune disease is not a neoplastic disease. Drugs are not prescribed just so the client has strong drug therapy.
A client with Crohn's disease, an autoimmune disorder, reports not having had any symptoms of the disease in 8 months. What does the nurse understand this asymptomatic period is referred to?
- A. An exacerbation
- B. Remission
- C. A cure
- D. An acute inflammatory response
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Periods of remission refer to times when the client has no symptoms. The duration of these periods is completely unpredictable. An exacerbation is periods of acute flare-ups when the client often experiences a low-grade fever, malaise, or fatigue. The client may also lose weight. Other symptoms such as pain and diarrhea can be associated with a flare-up of Crohn's disease. The client is not having an acute inflammatory response that would be considered an exacerbation.
A client has been hospitalized for diagnostic testing. The client has just been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, which the physician explains is an autoimmune disorder. How would the nurse explain an autoimmune disease to the client?
- A. A disorder where the body has too many immunoglobulins.
- B. A disorder where histocompatible cells attack the immunoglobulins.
- C. A disorder where killer T cells and autoantibodies attack or destroy natural cells - those cells that are 'self.'
- D. A disorder where the body does not have enough immunoglobulins.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Autoimmune disorders are those in which killer T cells and autoantibodies attack or destroy natural cells-those cells that are 'self.' Autoantibodies, antibodies against self-antigens, are immunoglobulins. They target histocompatible cells, cells whose antigens match the person's own genetic code. Autoimmune disorders are not caused by too many or too few immunoglobulins, and histocompatible cells do not attack immunoglobulins in an autoimmune disorder.
The nurse is collecting data from a client with the autoimmune disorder endocarditis. What does the nurse recognize as symptom of an acute exacerbation?
- A. Temperature of 100.9?°F
- B. Respiratory rate of 20 breaths/minute
- C. Constipation
- D. Nausea
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Periods of acute flare-ups (known as exacerbations) are completely unpredictable. During acute exacerbations, clients often experience a low-grade fever, malaise, or fatigue. They also may lose weight. A respiratory rate of 20 breaths/minute is within normal range. Constipation and nausea are not characteristic of a flare-up of endocarditis.
The nurse is instructing a client with chronic fatigue syndrome about what type of dietary sources are the best to eat to supply eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA). What statement by the client demonstrates the instruction is understood?
- A. I will eat shrimp at least twice a week.'
- B. I love crab cakes and will be sure to make them once a week.'
- C. Fresh salmon is one of my favorites, and I will eat it twice a week.'
- D. Lobster is expensive, but I will eat it once a week.'
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Fish oils provide the only dietary source of EPA. Fatty fish, such as mackerel, sardines, herring, salmon, and tuna, are the best sources. Shellfish, such as shrimp, crab, and lobsters do not offer the dietary source of EPA that is required.