McKenna's Pharmacology for Nursing, 2e

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P A R T 3  Drugs acting on the immune system

the toxins produced by the microorganism that are altered so that they are no longer poisonous but still have the recognisable protein antigen that will stimulate antibody production. ■■ Immune sera provide preformed antibodies to specific proteins for people who have been exposed to them or are at high risk for exposure. ■■ The term immune sera typically refers to sera that contain antibodies to specific bacteria or viruses. Antitoxins are immune sera that have antibodies to very specific toxins that might be released by invading pathogens. Antivenins are immune sera that have antibodies to venom that might be injected through spider or snake bites. ■■ Serum sickness—a massive immune reaction— occurs more frequently with immune sera than with vaccines. Individuals need to be monitored for any history of hypersensitivity reactions and emergency equipment should be available. ■■ People should be advised to keep a written record of all immunisations or immune sera used. Booster doses for various vaccines may be needed to further stimulate antibody production. Knowing your strengths and weaknesses helps you to study more effectively. Take a PrepU Practice Quiz to find out how you measure up! ONLINE RESOURCES An extensive range of additional resources to enhance teaching and learning and to facilitate understanding of this chapter may be found online at the text’s accompanying website, located on thePoint at http://thepoint.lww.com. These include Watch and Learn videos, Concepts in Action animations, journal articles, review questions, case studies, discussion topics and quizzes. Healthcare providers and students may want to consult the following Internet sources: www.anaes.med.usyd.edu.au/venom/snakebite.html Information on Australian snakes and management of snakebite. www.health.gov.au/internet/immunise/publishing.nsf/ Content/Handbook10-home Link to Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing, Immunisation Handbook (10th edition). www.health.gov.au/internet/immunise/publishing.nsf/ content/1FC63A2886238E6CCA2575BD001C80DC/ $File/full-publication-myths-and-realities-5th-ed-2013. pdf Link to Australian Government, Department of Health and Ageing publication: Myths and Realities: WEB LINKS

■■ Immune sera provide preformed antibodies to specific proteins for people who have been exposed to them or are at high risk for exposure. ■■ The term immune sera typically refers to sera that contain antibodies to specific bacteria or viruses. CHAPTER SUMMARY ■■ Immunity (relative resistance to a disease) may be active or passive. Active immunity results from the body making antibodies against specific proteins for immediate release if that protein re-enters the body. Passive immunity results from preformed antibodies to a specific protein, which offers protection against the protein only for the life of the circulating antibodies. ■■ Immunisations are given to stimulate active immunity in a person who is at high risk for exposure to specific diseases. Immunisations are a standard part of preventive medicine. ■■ Vaccines can be made from chemically inactivated microorganisms or from live, weakened viruses or bacteria. Toxoids are vaccines that are made from ■ ■ Monitor for severe reactions and have emergency equipment ready to allow prompt intervention should a severe reaction occur . ■ ■ Arrange for supportive care and comfort measures for flu-like symptoms (rest, environmental control, paracetamol) and for the local reaction (heat to injection site, anti-inflammatories) to promote comfort . ■ ■ Provide thorough teaching, including measures to avoid adverse effects and warning signs of problems, to improve compliance . ■ ■ Provide a written record of immune sera use, and encourage the individual or family to keep that information to ensure proper medical treatment and to avert future reactions . Evaluation ■ ■ Monitor the person’s response to the drug (improvement in disease signs and symptoms, prevention of severe disease). ■ ■ Monitor for adverse effects (flu-like symptoms, GI upset, local inflammation and pain). ■ ■ Evaluate the effectiveness of the teaching plan (person can name drug, dosage, adverse effects to watch for and specific measures to avoid adverse effects and to promote comfort, and acknowledge the need to retain a written record of injection). ■ ■ Monitor the effectiveness of comfort measures and compliance with the regimen. KEY POINTS