NURS 403 PATHOPHYSIOLOGY MODULE
3&4 STUDY SHEET LATEST FOR YOUR
EXAM REVISION PACE UNIVERSITY.
, NURS 403 – Pathophysiology/Pharmacology I
Module 3: Immunity and Immunosuppressants
Immunity:
Stress: the universal response to change that maintains homeostasis in response to positive and negative experiences which have
the potential to exacerbate a disease; Coping with stress may lead to negative behaviors
• General adaptation syndrome: A protective stress response leading to systemic manifestations in an attempt to cope
• Local adaptation syndrome: confining stressor (e.g. tissue trauma → local inflammation)
➢ Individual variability: some pts may handle stress better than others
• Coping strategies:
o Physical activity, adequate sleep, optimal diet,
o Relaxation, distraction, and biofeedback
▪ Maladaptive coping strategies: smoking, substance abuse, overeating
• Other affecting factors:
o Natural reserves, time, genetics, age, gender, health status, nutrition, sleep–wake cycles, hardiness,
psychosocial
3 Stages of Adaptation:
1. Alarm: “Fight-or-flight” response; sympathetic & endocrine stimulation → catecholamines & cortisol
• ↑ HR, respirations, diaphoresis, blood flow, muscle strength, mental alertness, fat & protein mobilization, glucose
availability
• ↓ Inflammation
2. Resistance: Most optimal defense chosen
• Fight-or-flight symptoms disappear
• Adaption: altered compensation
• Desensitization: is promoted through stress management techniques (e.g.,
meditation & relaxation)
3. Exhaustion: stressor prolonged, overwhelms adaptation causing damage & depletion
• Defenses utilized which can result in DX or death
• Can lead to Anxiety, depression, headaches, insomnia, infections, CVD
The Immune System: the body is under constant assault by life-threatening microbes; harm is prevented via the immune system
• Bacteria, viruses, fungi, protozoans, prions
• Removal of damaged cells
• Destruction of cancer cells
➢ Antigens: will trigger antibody production and immune response
• 2 major actions VS foreign antigens
o Recognize → defend the body
o Respond → attack the antigens
➢ Requirements for optimal immunity
• Nonspecific defenses: Skin, mucous membranes, phagocytes, complement systems
• Lymphatic system
• Innate immune response
• Inflammatory response-
• Acquired immunity
➢ Immune cells: are either
• Active and circulating
• Passive until activation
➢ Types of immunity:
• Innate Immunity:
o Provides immediate protection
o Nonspecific • Adaptive/acquired immunity:
o Does not distinguish b/w o Delayed ~ 7-10d
pathogens o Specific to the antigen
1
, Other Components of the Immune System:
2
3&4 STUDY SHEET LATEST FOR YOUR
EXAM REVISION PACE UNIVERSITY.
, NURS 403 – Pathophysiology/Pharmacology I
Module 3: Immunity and Immunosuppressants
Immunity:
Stress: the universal response to change that maintains homeostasis in response to positive and negative experiences which have
the potential to exacerbate a disease; Coping with stress may lead to negative behaviors
• General adaptation syndrome: A protective stress response leading to systemic manifestations in an attempt to cope
• Local adaptation syndrome: confining stressor (e.g. tissue trauma → local inflammation)
➢ Individual variability: some pts may handle stress better than others
• Coping strategies:
o Physical activity, adequate sleep, optimal diet,
o Relaxation, distraction, and biofeedback
▪ Maladaptive coping strategies: smoking, substance abuse, overeating
• Other affecting factors:
o Natural reserves, time, genetics, age, gender, health status, nutrition, sleep–wake cycles, hardiness,
psychosocial
3 Stages of Adaptation:
1. Alarm: “Fight-or-flight” response; sympathetic & endocrine stimulation → catecholamines & cortisol
• ↑ HR, respirations, diaphoresis, blood flow, muscle strength, mental alertness, fat & protein mobilization, glucose
availability
• ↓ Inflammation
2. Resistance: Most optimal defense chosen
• Fight-or-flight symptoms disappear
• Adaption: altered compensation
• Desensitization: is promoted through stress management techniques (e.g.,
meditation & relaxation)
3. Exhaustion: stressor prolonged, overwhelms adaptation causing damage & depletion
• Defenses utilized which can result in DX or death
• Can lead to Anxiety, depression, headaches, insomnia, infections, CVD
The Immune System: the body is under constant assault by life-threatening microbes; harm is prevented via the immune system
• Bacteria, viruses, fungi, protozoans, prions
• Removal of damaged cells
• Destruction of cancer cells
➢ Antigens: will trigger antibody production and immune response
• 2 major actions VS foreign antigens
o Recognize → defend the body
o Respond → attack the antigens
➢ Requirements for optimal immunity
• Nonspecific defenses: Skin, mucous membranes, phagocytes, complement systems
• Lymphatic system
• Innate immune response
• Inflammatory response-
• Acquired immunity
➢ Immune cells: are either
• Active and circulating
• Passive until activation
➢ Types of immunity:
• Innate Immunity:
o Provides immediate protection
o Nonspecific • Adaptive/acquired immunity:
o Does not distinguish b/w o Delayed ~ 7-10d
pathogens o Specific to the antigen
1
, Other Components of the Immune System:
2
