Author Question: The nurse is explaining to a nursing student that allograft transplant clients need some form of ... (Read 168 times)

Destiiny22 · **on:** Jul 23, 2018

The nurse is explaining to a nursing student that allograft transplant clients need some form of immunosuppressant therapy. Which statement describes the pathophysiological reasoning behind this?

1. The treatment is indicated only if signs of transplant rejection are present.
2. The treatment is a precaution; rejection in allografts seldom occurs.
3. The treatment is designed to target chronic rejection, which does not occur for several weeks.
4. Despite accurate tissue matching, allografts contain antigens that trigger the client's immune response.

Question 2

Cyclosporine (Sandimmune) and tacrolimus (Prograf) represent which category of immunosuppressants?

1. Calcineurin inhibitors
2. Glucocorticoids
3. Antimetabolites
4. Antibodies

Ahnyah · **Reply #1 on:** Jul 23, 2018

Answer to Question 1

Correct Answer: 4
Rationale 1: The goal is prevention of rejection, and if treatment is held until signs of rejection are present, this is too late.
Rationale 2: Rejection is a significant possibility in all transplants.
Rationale 3: Immunosuppressants are designed to help prevent all types of rejection.
Rationale 4: Allografts always contain certain antigens that trigger the immune response and rejection, and immunosuppressants help prevent this response.
Global Rationale: Despite accurate tissue matching, allografts always contain certain antigens that have the potential to trigger the patient's immune defenses. This response, called transplant rejection, is often acute; antibodies sometimes destroy the transplanted tissue within 48 hours after a transplant. The goal is prevention of all types of rejection.

Answer to Question 2

Correct Answer: 1
Rationale 1: Cyclosporine and tacrolimus are calcineurin inhibitors.
Rationale 2: Cyclosporine and tacrolimus are not glucocorticoids.
Rationale 3: Cyclosporine and tacrolimus are not antimetabolites.
Rationale 4: Cyclosporine and tacrolimus are not antibodies.
Global Rationale: Two of the most important drugs in transplant medicine, cyclosporine (Sandimmune, Neoral) and tacrolimus (Prograf), are calcineurin inhibitors. These drugs revolutionized the pharmacotherapy of transplant rejection and have been the mainstay of transplant therapy since the 1980s. They are not members of the other classes.