Nokea
A client with early-stage rheumatoid arthritis asks the nurse what to do to help ease the symptoms of the disease. What would be the best response by the nurse?
- A. The doctor could prescribe anti-inflammatory drugs.'
- B. The doctor could prescribe antipyretic drugs.'
- C. The doctor could prescribe antineoplastic drugs.'
- D. The doctor could prescribe antihypertensive drugs.'
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Drug therapy using anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive agents is the mainstay for alleviating symptoms. Antipyretic and antihypertensive drugs are not prescribed for autoimmune diseases. An antineoplastic drug is not prescribed for an autoimmune disorder until it is in its late stages and uncontrolled by the first-line drugs.
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A client has an allergic reaction to seafood with generalized edema and reports being unable to get a wedding ring off as it is too tight. The client was unable to remove it with soap and water. What action by the nurse can facilitate removal of the ring without damaging it?
- A. Administer a diuretic and wait for the swelling to go down.
- B. There is not another option other than to use a ring cutter to remove the ring.
- C. Use twine to wrap the finger and, when the tissue is compressed, pull the free end of the twine and remove the ring.
- D. Use a tongue blade to remove the ring.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: If applying soap or oil to the finger proves unsuccessful, the nurse may wrap the finger with twine. Once the tissue is compressed, the ring can be removed by pulling on the free end of the twine. This technique is preferable to damaging the ring with a metal cutter. If nothing else facilitates ring removal, however, cutting the ring is a better option than allowing damage from ischemia to develop. The nurse cannot administer a diuretic without a physician's prescription, and allowing the swelling to go down may cause tissue ischemia from the constricted ring. There are options other than cutting the ring, but if they fail, there is no other choice. A tongue blade will not remove a ring that is too tight.
A client has been having joint pain and swelling in the left foot and is diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis. The symptoms began suddenly without any identifiable cause, and the client has significant joint destruction. What type of disease is this considered?
- A. An exacerbation of a previous disorder
- B. Autoimmune
- C. An alloimmunity disorder
- D. A cause-and-effect relationship
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Diseases are considered autoimmune disorders when they are characterized by unrelenting, progressive tissue damage without any verifiable etiology. The client did not have a previous disorder that has caused an exacerbation. An alloimmunity describes an immune response that is waged against transplanted organs and tissues that carry non self antigens. Because there is no identifiable cause, there can be no effect.
The nurse is talking with a client who was stung by a bee and began having difficulty breathing. What serious complication from injected venom should the nurse discuss with the client?
- A. Hives
- B. Itching
- C. Airway obstruction
- D. Diarrhea
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Injectants, such as bee venom, and some other allergens can produce systemic and potentially fatal effects, including shock and airway obstruction caused by laryngeal swelling. Although all other answers can occur with an allergen, they are not the most serious complication.
A client is taking the immunosuppressant medication, azathioprine (Imuran), for the treatment of Crohn's disease. What statement made by the client demonstrates an understanding of the side effects of this medication?
- A. I will notify the doctor if I have a fever or any other signs of infection.'
- B. I will drink at least 3 L of fluid per day.'
- C. I will notify the doctor if I am not having a bowel movement daily.'
- D. I will stop taking my medication if I notice any side effects and then notify the doctor.'
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The client should be instructed to be sure to report any signs of infection since this drug suppresses the immune system and makes the client susceptible to infections. It is important for a client to drink 3 L of fluid when taking the immunosuppressant drug cyclosporine to prevent hemorrhagic cystitis, but this is not necessary for azathioprine. It is not necessary to inform the physician if the client is not having a bowel movement daily. The client should not stop taking the medication for any reason unless discussed with the physician.
The nursing instructor is discussing hypersensitivity responses with a clinical group. What allergic reaction(s) would the nursing instructor talk about? Select all that apply.
- A. Typical
- B. Unmediated
- C. Cytotoxic
- D. Atopic
- E. Immune complex
Correct Answer: C,D,E
Rationale: Once sensitization occurs, one of four types of hypersensitivity responses can occur. These may be immediate or delayed depending on the time it takes for the immune system to mount a response. An immediate hypersensitivity response is due to antibodies interacting with allergens and occurs rapidly. There are three types of immediate hypersensitivity responses: type I, atopic or anaphylactic, which is mediated by immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies; type II, cytotoxic, which is mediated by immunoglobulin M or G (IgM or IgG) antibodies; and type III, immune complex, which is mediated by IgG antibodies. The first two types of responses occur within minutes; type III responses reach a peak within 6 hours after exposure to an allergen. The nurse would not discuss atypical and unmediated hypersensitivity responses in this scenario.