Nokea
Which of the following individuals would be the most appropriate candidate for immunotherapy?
- A. A patient who had an anaphylactic reaction to an insect sting
- B. A child with allergies to eggs and dairy
- C. A patient who has had a positive tuberculin skin test
- D. A patient with severe allergies to grass and tree pollen
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The benefit of immunotherapy has been fairly well established in instances of allergic rhinitis and bronchial asthma that are clearly due to sensitivity to one of the common pollens, molds, or household dust. Immunotherapy is not used to treat type I hypersensitivities. A positive tuberculin skin test is not an indication for immunotherapy.
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A patient has sought care, stating that she developed hives overnight. The nurses inspection confirms the presence of urticaria. What type of allergic hypersensitivity reaction has the patient developed?
- A. Type I
- B. Type II
- C. Type III
- D. Type IV
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Urticaria (hives) is a type I hypersensitive allergic reaction.
A patients decline in respiratory and renal function has been attributed to Goodpasture syndrome, which is a type II hypersensitivity reaction. What pathologic process underlies the patients health problem?
- A. Antigens have bound to antibodies and formed inappropriate immune complexes.
- B. The patients body has mistakenly identified a normal constituent of the body as foreign.
- C. Sensitized T cells have caused cell and tissue damage.
- D. Mast cells have released histamines that directly cause cell lysis.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Type II reactions, or cytotoxic hypersensitivity, occur when the system mistakenly identifies a normal constituent of the body as foreign. An example of this type of reaction is Goodpasture syndrome. Type III, or immune complex, hypersensitivity involves immune complexes that are formed when antigens bind to antibodies. Type IV hypersensitivity is mediated by sensitized T cells that cause cell and tissue damage. Histamine does not directly cause cell lysis.
A nurse has asked the nurse educator if there is any way to predict the severity of a patients anaphylactic reaction. What would be the nurses best response?
- A. The faster the onset of symptoms, the more severe the reaction.
- B. The reaction will be about one-third more severe than the patients last reaction to the same antigen.
- C. There is no way to gauge the severity of a patients anaphylaxis, even if it has occurred repeatedly in the past.
- D. The reaction will generally be slightly less severe than the last reaction to the same antigen.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The time from exposure to the antigen to onset of symptoms is a good indicator of the severity of the reaction: the faster the onset, the more severe the reaction. None of the other statements is an accurate description of the course of anaphylactic reactions.
A school nurse is caring for a child who appears to be having an allergic response. What should be the initial action of the school nurse?
- A. Assess for signs and symptoms of anaphylaxis.
- B. Assess for erythema and urticaria.
- C. Administer an OTC antihistamine.
- D. Administer epinephrine.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: If a patient is experiencing an allergic response, the nurses initial action is to assess the patient for signs and symptoms of anaphylaxis. Erythema and urticaria may be present, but these are not the most significant or most common signs of anaphylaxis. Assessment must precede interventions, such as administering an antihistamine. Epinephrine is indicated in the treatment of anaphylaxis, not for every allergic reaction.
A patient with a family history of allergies has suffered an allergic response based on a genetic predisposition. This atopic response is usually mediated by what immunoglobulin?
- A. Immunoglobulin A
- B. Immunoglobulin M
- C. Immunoglobulin G
- D. Immunoglobulin E
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Atopy refers to allergic reactions characterized by the action of IgE antibodies and a genetic predisposition to allergic reactions.