Immune System Terminology Quiz

Definitions of Terms

• Antibody: A protein created by the body to counter a specific antigen.
• Antigen: A substance that triggers the body to create antibodies.
• Apoptosis: Programmed cell death.
• B cells: Cells vital for the humoral immune response.
• Cellular immune response: The immune system's 3rd line of defense, attacking pathogens with T cells.
• Cytotoxic T cells: Lymphocytes that destroy virus-infected cells and help with organ rejection.
• Humoral Immune Response: The 2nd line of defense, using antibodies.
• Immune response: The coordinated effort of immune system components against foreign agents/organisms.
• Immune system: The collection of organs, cells, tissues, and molecules mediating the immune response.
• Immunity: Specific protection against foreign agents, particularly infections.
• Interferons: Proteins activating other immune system components when cells encounter viruses or foreign agents.
• Memory cells: Cells remembering antigens from past exposures, enabling a faster immune response.
• Natural killer (NK) cells: Lymphocytes safeguarding against microorganisms and malignant cells.
• Opsonization: Coating antigens with sticky substances, aiding phagocytosis.
• Phagocytic cells: Cells consuming, ingesting, and destroying foreign substances or toxins.

Active vs Passive Immunity

• Innate (Natural) Immunity: Immunity present at birth.
• Adaptive (Acquired) Immunity: Immunity developed after birth.
• Innate Immunity (External & Internal):
  • External Defense: Epidermis, oil glands, pH levels, sweat, hair, cilia, and gastric secretions.
  • Internal Defense: (not detailed).

Cells

• Phagocytes:
  • Neutrophils: WBCs engulfing pathogens.
  • Macrophages: engulfs pathogens (histiocytes- wandering, Kupffer cells-fixed, alveolar cells, microglia).
• NK cells: Kill targets by releasing perforins and granzymes.
• Cytokines: Interleukins and interferons.

Physiological Responses

• Inflammation: Tissue damage in vascularized tissues.
  • Vascular dilation.
  • Increased vascular permeability.
  • Redness, heat, pain, swelling.
• Fever: Pyrogens induce heat.
• Immune cell function enhancement.
• Reduced pathogen division ability.

HIV Stages (Acute, Chronic, AIDS)

• Acute Stage: Initial infection showing RNA virus, early stages <10 days.
  • CD4 count measurement to determine helper T cells, normal amount range 500 to 1500 cells/mm3.
• Chronic Stage: Viral load low but still active, active virus with lower levels of cells (CD4 count).
• AIDS Stage: Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome, final stage. The immune system is almost completely dysfunctional. Patient has opportunistic infections, CD4 level is under 200 cells/mm3.
• Testing methodologies include nucleic acid test (NAT).

Opportunistic Infections

• Infections in immunocompromised people(AIDS), mainly due to bacteria, viruses, fungi, and protozoa.

Immune System Diseases

• Rheumatoid Arthritis: Chronic autoimmune disorder affecting joints.
  • Inflammation causes tissue destruction, edema, and pannus develop.
  • Possible complications: rheumatoid vasculitis and ankylosis.
  • Symmetrical joint involvement (hands, ankles, feet, knees, wrists, hips, elbows, shoulders).
• Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE): Chronic inflammatory disorder of connective tissue.
  • Inflammation and tissue damage.
  • Autoimmune with antinuclear antibodies (ANAs) production.
• Hypothyroidism: Underactive thyroid gland.
  • Leads to low thyroid hormone levels (T3, T4).
  • Symptoms include lethargy, cold intolerance, constipation, weight gain, and bradycardia.
• Hyperthyroidism: Overactive thyroid gland.
  • Leads to increased thyroid hormone levels (T3, T4).
  • Symptoms include weight loss, heat intolerance, increased heart rate and blood pressure, diarrhea, smooth skin, and soft hair.
• Thyroid Storm: Medical emergency, sudden surge in thyroid hormones.
• Symptoms include high fever, agitation, delirium, congestive heart failure, and loss of consciousness.
• Glomerulonephritis: Kidney disease.
  • Damage to the glomeruli in the kidney.
  • Filtering units are damaged.
• Hepatitis: Liver infection, typically transmitted by food-borne route or bodily fluids.

Medications

• Several antiviral medications to treat specific infections.
• Medications for inflammation and pain management.
• Corticosteroids reduce inflammation.
• Medications for hypertension, swelling, etc.

Teaching Tips

• Hyperthyroidism: Eye protection (sunglasses), artificial tears; head elevation, follow-up.
• HIV Prevention strategies: Safe sex practices and drug usage precautions.

Other Important Information

• Emergency Protocols: Understand emergency responses, such as administering medications for life-threatening conditions.
• Patient Education: Educate patients about medications, follow-up care and proper hygiene.
• Nursing Considerations: Provide patient support, monitor vital signs and other symptoms as necessary.
• Risk Factors: Understanding risk factors relating to each disease discussed helps in prevention and management.