Cancer
A person who presents with a disappearance of signs and symptoms of cancer or other disease is in ______.
Remission
What is the function of the lymphatic system?
Produces and moves lymph fluid from the body’s tissues to the circulatory system.
What is the function of the Immune System?
Protects the body from harmful substances, such as disease-causing bacteria, viruses, and microorganisms.
HIV targets these types of cells. If left untreated, these cells dwindle in count and cause the development of a condition called AIDS.
CD4+ T-Cells
What type of precautions are used for every encounter with an infected person regardless of whether or not they have noticeable symptoms?
Standard Precautions
This therapy is usually given intravenously, but can be given PO or via injection. There are strict precautions NA’s must take when caring for Pt’s undergoing this type of therapy including, double gloving, extra barriers (coverings) on the toilet when flushing specimens, etc. It uses chemicals to kill malignant cells and tissues to cure cancer, slow progression of cancer, or prevent new cancer from forming.
Chemotherapy
These specialized vessels carry lymph from the tissues into larger lymphatic vessels.
Lymphatic capillaries
This term is used to describe a foreign substance that has entered the body and has been recognized by the immune cells. It is the part of a pathogen that can be recognized by the immune cells in order to initiate an immune response.
Antigen
These groups of cells grow abnormally and can be either malignant or benign.
Tumor
Should a Pt who is symptomatic for COVID-19 be placed in a room with a Pt who is diagnosed with HIV?
No.
Other than via vaccine, what other means of therapy is used for Immunotherapy?
Immunoglobulins (Ig’s); Antibodies
These clumps of lymphatic tissue filter and clean the lymph fluid of microorganisms.
Lymph Nodes
This type of immunity is given to a person by way of external means (e.g., antibodies passed from mother to child via breast milk or via placenta while fetus is developing in whom).
Passive Immunity
The study/field of medicine that primarily focuses on the development and treatment of tumors/cancer is known as
Oncology
A Pt asks you (an NA) what the prognosis of their cancer looks like. Is it appropriate to tell the Pt what you know based on the information you have gathered from the EHR or primary nurse or the physician?
No. Only the nurse and the provider can.
What is a cliche phrase that a NA should never say to a Pt with a cancer diagnosis?
“You will be just fine.”
“Everything will be ok.”
“You can beat this.”
Lymph tissue is strategically placed to provide specific functions that aid in homeostasis. With this in mind, what organ of the Lymphatic System is placed at the back of the oral cavity that prevents microorganisms from entering the body PO or by nose?
Tonsils.
This type of response is triggered when an antigen is recognized by the immune cells. These immune cells release chemical agents called cytokines which activate various immune cells and manipulate tissues to allow a proper response to antigens.
Hint: Not “Immune Response”
Inflammatory Response.
When a certain cancer has progressed to other areas of the body, the Pt’s cancer has _________.
Metastasized
Should a NA use a standard toothbrush to provide oral hygiene care for a Pt diagnosed with AIDS?
No. They are at risk of bleeding which causes an opening for pathogens that can be fatal to AIDS Pt’s.
What is another term used to describe temporary hair loss due to chemotherapy?
Alopecia areata
When the body starts to lose a large amount of blood (hemorrhaging), this organ of the lymphatic system can resupply a full pint (or more) of blood to the body to help maintain a normal blood pressure.
Spleen
This type of immunity produces immune cells and antibodies that will “remember” a pathogen following each new exposure.
Specific Immunity
What organ produces T-cells which must fully develop before leaving the organ or else it will be destroyed via autolysis.
Thymus
This type of care is given to Pt’s diagnosed with untreatable conditions (e.g., terminal cancers, AIDS, etc.).
Palliative care