Immunologic agents

Cell-mediated immunity (CMI) is the result of the activity of many leukocyte actions, reactions, and interactions that range from simple to complex. This type of immunity is dependent on the actions of the T lymphocytes, which are responsible for a delayed type of immune response The T lymphocyte becomes sensitized 

The T lymphocytes defend against viral infections, fungal infections, and some bacterial infections. If CMI is lost, as in the case of acquired immunodeficiency 

Cell-mediated and humoral immunity are interdependent, that is, CMI influences the function of tiie B lymphocytes, and humoral immunity influences tiie function of the T lymphocytes. 

Active and passive immunity involve tiie use of agents that stimulate antibody formation (active immunity) or tiie injection of ready-made antibodies found in tiie serum of immune individuals or animals (passive immunity). The following sections describe active and passive immunity. 

Naturally acquired active immunity occurs when the person is exposed to a disease, experiences tiie disease, and tiie body manufactures antibodies to provide future 

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Discuss preadministration and ongoing assessments the nurse should perform on the patient receiving an immunologic agent. 

Discuss ways to promote an optimal response, management of common adverse reactions, special considerations, and important points to keep in mind when educating a patient taking an immunologic agent. 

The patient is usually not hospitalized after administration of an immunologic agent. However, the patient may be asked to stay in the clinic or office for observation for about 30 minutes after the injection to observe for any... 

D Risk of Injury related to the development ot intedious disease, hypersensitivity to the immunologic agent... 

The expected outcomes of the patient may include an optimal response to the immunologic agent, management of common adverse drug effects, and an understanding of and compliance with the prescribed immunization schedule ... 

Unit X discusses drugp that affect the immune system. The unit consists of two chapters immunologic agents and antineoplastic drugs. 

Few substances have had a greater positive impact upon human healthcare management than antibodies, vaccines and adjuvants. For most of this century, these immunological agents have enjoyed widespread medical application, predominantly for the treatment/prevention of infectious diseases. As a group, they are often referred to as biologies (Chapter 1). 

Various drugs are capable of affecting specific immune reactions. They can both increase the general resistivity of the body or its nonspecific immunity, as well as suppress the body s immune reactions. Hence controlling diseases with immunological agents means either generation of the necessary immunity in the body, or suppression of undesirable immune reactions. 

Sulfasalazine also is indicated for use in rheumatoid arthritis and juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. Refer to the monograph in the Biologic and Immunologic Agents chapter. 

Mechanism of Action An immunologic agent that interferes with the activation of T-lymphocytes by binding to the lymphocyte antigen, thus reducing the number of circulating T-lymphocytes. Therapeutic Effect Prevents T cells from becoming overactive, which may help reduce symptoms of chronic plaque psoriasis. Pharmacokinetics Half-life 270 hr... 

Mechanism of Action An immunologic agent that antagonizes purine metabolism and inhibits DNA, protein, and RNA synthesis. Therapeutic Effect Suppresses cell-mediated hypersensitivities alters antibody production and immune response in transplant recipients reduces the severity of arthritis symptoms. 

Mechanism of Action An immunologic agent that suppresses the immunologically mediated inflammatory response by inhibiting inosine monophosphate dehydrogenase, an enzyme that deprives lymphocytes of nucleotides necessary for DNA and RNA synthesis, thus inhibiting the proliferation of T and B lymphocytes. Therapeutic Effect Prevents transplant rejection. 

Mechanism of Action An immunologic agent that inhibits T-lymphocyte activation by binding to intracellular proteins, forming a complex, and inhibiting phosphatase activity. Therapeutic Effect Suppresses the immunologically mediated inflammatory response prevents organ transplant rejection. 

The immunological agents are the agents which produce active or passive immunity and are used to prevent or to modify certain infectious disease. Immunity can be defined as the ability of the body to neutralize and eliminate the pathogens and their toxic products. 

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