1. Describe the role of immune modulators. What is the difference between immune modulators and immune suppressants?
2. Protecting a child from injury and infection is an important nursing consideration with immune-suppressant therapy. Develop a teaching plan for a 10-year-old on immune-suppressant therapy status post kidney transplant.
1. Assign each group a class of immune modulators (interferons, interleukins, immune suppressants, interleukin receptor antagonist, monoclonal antibiotics). Each group prepares flash cards for the assigned group of medications. Flash cards to include common drugs in the immune-modulator group, therapeutic actions, indications, pharmacokinetics, contraindications, common adverse reactions, and important drug-drug interactions. Combine all flash cards and divide among groups for review. Continue passing cards among groups until all groups have completed each set.
2. Divide students into three groups. Discuss the impact of using immune modulators in children, adults, and older adults. Determine unique risk factors based on age group.
1. Visit a transplant clinic or talk with a nurse caring for transplant patients. Ask which drugs are used most often. What type of monitoring and assessment is done for patients
1. Visit a transplant clinic or talk with a nurse caring for transplant patients. Ask which drugs are used most often. What type of monitoring and assessment is done for patients in this setting based on medications used? Review teaching packets given to transplant patients. Describe your findings and reflect on your experience.
2. Select a patient receiving immune-modulator therapy. Determine which immune-modulator class the drug belongs to. Compare the ordered medication to the prototype immune modulator. Describe similarities and differences. If the ordered medication is the prototype drug, compare it to other immune modulators in its classification. Why was this the drug of choice for your patient?
1. Several new monoclonal antibodies are introduced to the drug market each year. Conduct a search for a new monoclonal antibody. Describe therapeutic actions, indications, pharmacokinetics, contraindications, common adverse reactions, and important drug-drug interactions for the medication.