Nursing: Communicable Diseases

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Questions and Answers

What is the primary function of IgG?

Prevention of absorption of antigens from food

Influencing B-lymphocyte differentiation

Enhancing phagocytosis and complement system activation (correct)

Combating parasitic infections

In which bodily fluids can IgA be found?

Blood, saliva, and tears

Pulmonary, gastrointestinal, and genitourinary secretions

Breast milk and prostatic fluid

All of the above (correct)

What is the percentage of IgG in the serum?

15%

0.2%

75% (correct)

10%

Which immunoglobulin is involved in allergic reactions?

IgE Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of IgM?

First immunoglobulin produced in response to infections Signup and view all the answers

What is immunity defined as?

A state of having sufficient biological defenses to avoid infection Signup and view all the answers

What type of immunity is developed through vaccination?

Active artificial immunity Signup and view all the answers

Which type of white blood cell is responsible for parasitic and allergic responses?

Eosinophils Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of T cells in cell-mediated immunity?

To directly attack infected cells Signup and view all the answers

What is the main difference between active and passive immunity?

Duration of immunity Signup and view all the answers

What is the first line of defense against infection?

Non-specific immune response Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of the recognition stage in the immune response?

To recognize the antigen Signup and view all the answers

What are the five cardinal signs of inflammation?

Redness, heat, swelling, pain, and loss of function Signup and view all the answers

What is an allergic reaction a manifestation of?

Tissue injury resulting from an immune response Signup and view all the answers

What is a contraindication for lumbar puncture?

Increase ICP and brain stem compression Signup and view all the answers

What is a characteristic sign of meningitis?

Nuchal rigidity Signup and view all the answers

What is a complication of meningitis?

All of the above Signup and view all the answers

What is the typical duration of IV antibiotic treatment for meningitis?

2 weeks Signup and view all the answers

What is a typical symptom of meningococcemia?

Petechial hemorrhages Signup and view all the answers

What is the name of the syndrome characterized by meningococcemia and adrenal medullary hemorrhages?

Waterhouse-Friderichsen syndrome Signup and view all the answers

What is a type of antibiotic used to treat meningitis?

All of the above Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of giving digitalis glycoside in meningitis treatment?

To treat arrhythmias Signup and view all the answers

What is a communicable disease?

A disease caused by an infectious agent or its toxic products Signup and view all the answers

What is the result of an infection?

The successful replication of an organism in the tissue of the host Signup and view all the answers

What is the difference between contagious and infectious diseases?

Not all infectious diseases are contagious, but all contagious diseases are infectious Signup and view all the answers

What is the immune system's role in the body?

To recognize and defend the body against foreign agents Signup and view all the answers

What is susceptibility?

The vulnerability of the host to harm by infectious and other types of agents Signup and view all the answers

What are antibodies?

Large proteins called immunoglobulins Signup and view all the answers

What is the carbohydrate concentration of antibodies?

Approximately 3% to 13% Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of the immune system's components?

To recognize and defend the body against foreign agents Signup and view all the answers

What is a common manifestation of tetanus in neonates?

Spasm and cyanosis while sucking Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary goal of wound care in tetanus treatment?

To prevent infection Signup and view all the answers

What is the recommended medication for controlling infection in tetanus treatment?

Pen G Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of tracheostomy in tetanus treatment?

To improve oxygenation Signup and view all the answers

What is the recommended time frame for administering ATS after a punctured wound?

Within 72 hours Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary benefit of administering tetanus toxoid in tetanus treatment?

To provide long-term immunity Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of diazepam in tetanus treatment?

To reduce muscle spasms Signup and view all the answers

What is the recommended environment for tetanus patients?

A dim and quiet room Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Communicable Diseases and Nursing

A communicable disease is an illness due to an infectious agent or its toxic products, transmitted directly or indirectly to a well person through an agent, vector, or inanimate object.

Infection and Contagious Diseases

Infection is the implantation and successful replication of an organism in the tissue of the host, resulting in signs and symptoms as well as immunologic response.
Not all infectious diseases are contagious, but all contagious diseases are infectious.

Overview of the Immune System

The immune system is composed of bone marrow, WBC, and lymphoid tissue.
Immunity is the ability of an organism to recognize and defend itself against agents that are "foreign" to it.
Susceptibility is the vulnerability of the host to harm by infectious and other types of agents.

Immunoglobulins

Antibodies are large proteins called immunoglobulins, found in the globulin fraction of plasma proteins.
There are five classes of immunoglobulins:
- IgG (75%): appears in serum and tissues, assumes a major role in bloodborne and tissue infections, activates the complement system, enhances phagocytosis, and crosses the placenta.
- IgA (15%): appears in body fluids, protects against respiratory, gastrointestinal, and genitourinary infections, and prevents absorption of antigens from food.
- IgM (10%): appears mostly in intravascular serum, appears as the first immunoglobulin produced in response to bacterial and viral infections, and activates the complement system.
- IgD (0.2%): appears in small amounts in serum, possibly influences B-lymphocyte differentiation, but its role is unclear.
- IgE (0.004%): appears in serum, takes part in allergic and some hypersensitivity reactions, and combats parasitic infections.

Immunity

Immunity is a state of having sufficient biological defenses to avoid infection.
There are two types of immunity: innate (natural) and acquired (through disease or vaccination).
Herd immunity is the immunity of a large group of people through vaccination.

WBC and Immune Response

WBCs are classified into granulocytes (neutrophils, eosinophils, basophils) and agranulocytes (monocytes, lymphocytes).
T cells are responsible for cell-mediated immunity and are classified into CD4+ (bacteria) and CD8+ (tumor and virus).

Acquired Immunity

Active natural immunity: disease triggers the body to produce antibodies.
Active artificial immunity: weakened bacteria is given to stimulate the body to produce antibodies (vaccines).
Passive natural immunity: antibodies are given from the mother (colostrum).
Passive artificial immunity: antibodies are given through immunization (TIG, HBIg).

Lines of Defense and Immune Response

First line of defense: non-specific, physical barriers (skin, mucous membranes).
Second line of defense: non-specific, inflammatory response (WBCs, chemical signals).
Third line of defense: specific, immune response (antibodies, T cells).
Stages of immune response: recognition, proliferation, response, and effector stages.

Normal and Abnormal Immune Responses

Normal immune response: tissue inflammation, characterized by the five cardinal signs of inflammation (redness, heat, swelling, pain, and loss of function).
Abnormal immune response: hypersensitivity reaction, allergic reaction, or anaphylaxis.

Tetanus and Its Management

Tetanus is a disease caused by the bacterium Clostridium tetani.
Manifestations of tetanus include muscle spasms, rigidity, and autonomic dysfunction.
Diagnostic tests: history of punctured wound, clinical manifestations, CSF exam, blood exam.
Modalities of treatment: specific (ATS, TAT, TIG, tetanus toxoid, Pen G) and non-specific (oxygen inhalation, NGT feeding, tracheostomy, fluid and electrolyte management).
Interventions: provide adequate fluids and nutrition, administer prescribed medications, avoid unnecessary handling and stimulation, and provide wound care.

Meningitis and Its Management

Meningitis is an inflammation of the meninges, caused by bacterial or viral infection.
Classifications of meningitis: acute meningococcemia, aseptic meningitis, and meningococcal septicemia.
Diagnostic tests: lumbar puncture, Gram staining, smear and blood culture, smear from petechiae, and urine culture.
Modalities of treatment: IV antibiotics, digitalis glycoside for arrhythmias, and mannitol for cerebral edema.
Complications: subdural effusion, hydrocephalus, deaf mutism, blindness, and otitis media.

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Description

Learn about communicable diseases, their causes, transmission, and effects on the human body. Understand the concept of infection and its relation to disease.