Author Question: When discussing vaccines in class, a student asks the nursing instructor what an antitoxin is. What ... (Read 83 times)

codyclark · **on:** Jul 23, 2018

When discussing vaccines in class, a student asks the nursing instructor what an antitoxin is. What is the instructor's best response?

A) It is an immune serum for snake bites.
B) It is a type of vaccine.
C) It is a form of active immunity.
D) It is a form of passive immunity.

Question 2

The nurse is caring for a 57-year-old woman who is complaining about gaining so much weight after menopause and suggests that thyroid hormone replacement would help her lose weight and speed up her metabolism. What is the nurse's best response?

A) Inducing a state of hyperthyroidism would result in weight loss.
B) People who are not hypothyroid should not take thyroid hormones.
C) People who take thyroid hormones without cause will end up damaging their heart.
D) The body compensates for the extra hormone by reducing the amount secreted.

Eazy416 · **Reply #1 on:** Jul 23, 2018

Answer to Question 1

D
Feedback:
An antitoxin is an example of passive immunity. Antitoxins contain antibodies to very specific toxins. The antibodies are injected into the system and react with invading pathogens. Active immunity occurs when the body recognizes a foreign protein and begins producing antibodies to react against that specific protein or antigen. Vaccines are immunizations containing weakened or altered protein antigens that stimulate formation of antibodies against a specific disease. They are used to promote active immunity. Antivenin is used to refer to immune sera that have antibodies to venom that might be injected through spider or snake bites.

Answer to Question 2

D
Feedback:
Taking thyroid hormone with normal thyroid function results in disruption of the hypothalamicpituita rythyroid control resulting in decreased production of thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) as the hypothalamus and pituitary sensed the rising levels of thyroid hormone. Because the thyroid was no longer stimulated to produce and secrete thyroid hormone, thyroid levels would actually fall. This would put the patient at greater risk of gaining weight. There is no evidence it would cause heart damage. Because thyroid hormone production is reduced, a state of hyperthyroidism is not induced. Even though the statement that people who are not hypothyroid should not take thyroid hormones is correct, it does not provide enough information to dissuade this patient from a dangerous practice.