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NUR2349 Professional Nursing I Exam 3
Key Concepts Modules 6, 7, & 8
Module 6: IMMUNITY
• Differentiate between an allergic reaction and side effects of medications
o Angioedema
o Stridor is the audible symptom produced by the rapid turbulent flow of air through
a narrowed segment of the respiratory tract.
• Antigen: Molecule that can bind with a specific antibody
• IMMUNE SYSTEM ANATOMY:
o Primary lymphoid organs: Bone marrow and thymus gland because lymphocytes
develop and mature within them.
▪ Bone Marrow:
• Like all blood cells, leukocytes originate from the bone marrow.
▪ Thymus:
• Believed major function of the thymus gland is in the development of
the immune system.
• Thymus gland located superior to heart.
o Age related implications for babies
▪ Larger in children than in adults.
• Reduction in thymus activity & repeated infections cause a premature
aging of all phases of immune system: reduction in number of T cells,
& their capacity for memory and diversity.
• If removed >>> increase risk for infection, inflammation, age-related
chronic diagnoses, autoimmune response
o Removal of thymus affects the maturation and function of T
lymphocytes.
o Removal of lymph nodes has a local effect on immune function,
allowing pathogens to colonize longer before encountering
adaptive immune system.
• Immunological aging due to thymectomy in infancy or childhood can
induce changes in B cells, NK cells, and possibly in stem cells, thus
placing the individual at risk for infections as an adult and possibly
more susceptible to increased inflammations, more age-related chronic
diseases, and increased autoimmune responses.
o Secondary Lymphoid tissues include the spleen, lymph nodes, and epithelial
lymphoid tissues. Lymphocytes are distributed throughout the body, they are
concentrated in several tissues. The tissues where they aggregate and function are
called secondary lymphoid tissues.
▪ Secondary lymphoid tissues are strategically placed in the body so that
invading pathogens will encounter them as early as possible, allowing the
immune system to be activated before extensive damage can be done.
▪ Spleen
• Role: Acts as a filter, collecting antigen from the blood and destroying
senescent RBCs. Most of spleen is made up of tissue called red pulp,
which primarily serves as the site of RBC destruction and also houses
macrophages.
• Located on left side of body, behind stomach
• If removed (splenectomy), what are the implications for client? >>>
increased risk of infection. Think about nursing measures to decrease
risk for infection and education for client
, 2
• Life-threatening infections known as overwhelming postsplenectomy
infections (OPSI)
▪ Lymph Nodes
• Lymph nodes are responsible for generating immune responses to the
immunogens in the lymph drainage and interstitial fluid that drains
from local tissues into the lymph vessels.
• Bean-shaped with two layers: an outer cortex and an inner medulla.
▪ Epithelial lymphoid tissues
• CHEMICAL COMPONENTS
o Two of these functions have already been discussed briefly in the leukocyte section;
attracting cells and changing cell behavior.
▪ Cytokines: Affect the behavior of cells
▪ Chemokines: Attract other cells, chemotaxis.
▪ Complement: Cascade of several lytic proteins that aid in pathogen
destruction.
• Phagocytes: Recognizes and ingest foreign antigens when entering the body.
o 1st line of defense phagocytes= Macrophages (Stored in connective tissue, spleen,
liver, lining of GI/resp tracts) & neutrophils (circulate in blood)
• On detecting an invader, macrophages attempt to engulf the invader in an amoeboid-like
process called phagocytosis.
• Complement System: Several lytic proteins that aid in pathogen destruction. Enhance
immune system and aids body to get rid of antibody-antigen complexes.
• DENDRITIC CELL FUNCTION IN IMMUNE RESPONSE
o Activate helper & killer Ts
o Control initiation to termination of immune response
o Alert lymphocytes to presence of injury/infection.
• IMMUNITY
o Immune system is tasked with three distinct and interrelated duties:
▪ (a) Defense of the body from external invaders (pathogens and toxins),
▪ (b) Surveillance in identifying the body’s cells that have mutated and may
become or have already become neoplasms (tumors), and
▪ (c) Maintenance of homeostasis by removing cellular detritus from the
system to ensure uniformity of cells and function
o Antigen: Molecule that can bind with a specific antibody.
o Immunogen: Any molecule that elicits an immune response.
o Haptens: Antigens by themselves do not elicit an immune response or antibodies.
o 1st line of defense phagocytes= macrophages and neutrophils (circulate in blood)
o Phagocytes: Recognize and ingest foreign antigens when entering the body
o Innate: nonspecific, present at birth. Immunity that is inherent and develops
regardless of exposure. Also called natural immunity. 1st line of defense.
o Acquired: not present at birth, can be adaptive or specific. Refers to immunity that
develops either as a result of exposure or through an external source, such as
colostrum or injection of immunoglobulin. Also called adaptive or specific because
immune response develops and changes in response to specific pathogen.
▪ T-lymphocytes initiate cell-mediated immunity.
▪ B-lymphocytes initiate humoral immunity.
o Passive: Short-lived; immunity transferred. Injection of antibodies to confer
immunity rather than stimulating the body to produce its own antibodies
▪ Passive-natural immunity: mother to the fetus/newborn through the placenta
and breast milk
NUR2349 Professional Nursing I Exam 3
Key Concepts Modules 6, 7, & 8
Module 6: IMMUNITY
• Differentiate between an allergic reaction and side effects of medications
o Angioedema
o Stridor is the audible symptom produced by the rapid turbulent flow of air through
a narrowed segment of the respiratory tract.
• Antigen: Molecule that can bind with a specific antibody
• IMMUNE SYSTEM ANATOMY:
o Primary lymphoid organs: Bone marrow and thymus gland because lymphocytes
develop and mature within them.
▪ Bone Marrow:
• Like all blood cells, leukocytes originate from the bone marrow.
▪ Thymus:
• Believed major function of the thymus gland is in the development of
the immune system.
• Thymus gland located superior to heart.
o Age related implications for babies
▪ Larger in children than in adults.
• Reduction in thymus activity & repeated infections cause a premature
aging of all phases of immune system: reduction in number of T cells,
& their capacity for memory and diversity.
• If removed >>> increase risk for infection, inflammation, age-related
chronic diagnoses, autoimmune response
o Removal of thymus affects the maturation and function of T
lymphocytes.
o Removal of lymph nodes has a local effect on immune function,
allowing pathogens to colonize longer before encountering
adaptive immune system.
• Immunological aging due to thymectomy in infancy or childhood can
induce changes in B cells, NK cells, and possibly in stem cells, thus
placing the individual at risk for infections as an adult and possibly
more susceptible to increased inflammations, more age-related chronic
diseases, and increased autoimmune responses.
o Secondary Lymphoid tissues include the spleen, lymph nodes, and epithelial
lymphoid tissues. Lymphocytes are distributed throughout the body, they are
concentrated in several tissues. The tissues where they aggregate and function are
called secondary lymphoid tissues.
▪ Secondary lymphoid tissues are strategically placed in the body so that
invading pathogens will encounter them as early as possible, allowing the
immune system to be activated before extensive damage can be done.
▪ Spleen
• Role: Acts as a filter, collecting antigen from the blood and destroying
senescent RBCs. Most of spleen is made up of tissue called red pulp,
which primarily serves as the site of RBC destruction and also houses
macrophages.
• Located on left side of body, behind stomach
• If removed (splenectomy), what are the implications for client? >>>
increased risk of infection. Think about nursing measures to decrease
risk for infection and education for client
, 2
• Life-threatening infections known as overwhelming postsplenectomy
infections (OPSI)
▪ Lymph Nodes
• Lymph nodes are responsible for generating immune responses to the
immunogens in the lymph drainage and interstitial fluid that drains
from local tissues into the lymph vessels.
• Bean-shaped with two layers: an outer cortex and an inner medulla.
▪ Epithelial lymphoid tissues
• CHEMICAL COMPONENTS
o Two of these functions have already been discussed briefly in the leukocyte section;
attracting cells and changing cell behavior.
▪ Cytokines: Affect the behavior of cells
▪ Chemokines: Attract other cells, chemotaxis.
▪ Complement: Cascade of several lytic proteins that aid in pathogen
destruction.
• Phagocytes: Recognizes and ingest foreign antigens when entering the body.
o 1st line of defense phagocytes= Macrophages (Stored in connective tissue, spleen,
liver, lining of GI/resp tracts) & neutrophils (circulate in blood)
• On detecting an invader, macrophages attempt to engulf the invader in an amoeboid-like
process called phagocytosis.
• Complement System: Several lytic proteins that aid in pathogen destruction. Enhance
immune system and aids body to get rid of antibody-antigen complexes.
• DENDRITIC CELL FUNCTION IN IMMUNE RESPONSE
o Activate helper & killer Ts
o Control initiation to termination of immune response
o Alert lymphocytes to presence of injury/infection.
• IMMUNITY
o Immune system is tasked with three distinct and interrelated duties:
▪ (a) Defense of the body from external invaders (pathogens and toxins),
▪ (b) Surveillance in identifying the body’s cells that have mutated and may
become or have already become neoplasms (tumors), and
▪ (c) Maintenance of homeostasis by removing cellular detritus from the
system to ensure uniformity of cells and function
o Antigen: Molecule that can bind with a specific antibody.
o Immunogen: Any molecule that elicits an immune response.
o Haptens: Antigens by themselves do not elicit an immune response or antibodies.
o 1st line of defense phagocytes= macrophages and neutrophils (circulate in blood)
o Phagocytes: Recognize and ingest foreign antigens when entering the body
o Innate: nonspecific, present at birth. Immunity that is inherent and develops
regardless of exposure. Also called natural immunity. 1st line of defense.
o Acquired: not present at birth, can be adaptive or specific. Refers to immunity that
develops either as a result of exposure or through an external source, such as
colostrum or injection of immunoglobulin. Also called adaptive or specific because
immune response develops and changes in response to specific pathogen.
▪ T-lymphocytes initiate cell-mediated immunity.
▪ B-lymphocytes initiate humoral immunity.
o Passive: Short-lived; immunity transferred. Injection of antibodies to confer
immunity rather than stimulating the body to produce its own antibodies
▪ Passive-natural immunity: mother to the fetus/newborn through the placenta
and breast milk
