NUR 172_Week 6_Immune RA and SLE Meds UPDATED
ACTUAL Questions and CORRECT Answers
Corticosteroids (Ex. Prednisone) Medication Class: Anti-inflammatory
Pharmacological Class: Corticosteroids
Indications: RA, SLE, other inflammatory/autoimmune conditions
MOA: Suppress the immune system and reduce inflammation by inhibiting
cytokine production and T-cell activation.
Side Effects: Hyperglycemia, weight gain, osteoporosis, hypertension,
increased infection risk, adrenal suppression, mood swings.
Nursing Considerations: Monitor blood glucose, blood pressure, and signs of
infection. Gradually taper off to avoid adrenal insufficiency.
Patient Education: Take as prescribed, don't stop abruptly, monitor for signs of
infection, and discuss bone health (calcium/vitamin D supplements) with your
provider.
, Methotrexate Medication Class: Disease-modifying antirheumatic drug (DMARD)
Pharmacological Class: Antimetabolite/Immunosuppressant
Indications: RA, SLE, psoriasis, cancer (in higher doses)
MOA: Inhibits dihydrofolate reductase, reducing DNA synthesis and cell
proliferation, thus dampening the immune response.
Side Effects: Hepatotoxicity, bone marrow suppression, pulmonary toxicity,
nausea, fatigue, oral ulcers.
Nursing Considerations: Monitor liver function, CBC, and pulmonary function.
Administer folic acid supplements to reduce side effects.
Patient Education: Avoid alcohol (increases liver toxicity), report any signs of
infection or unusual bleeding/bruising, and take folic acid as prescribed.
Etanercept (Enbrel) Medication Class: Biologic DMARD
Pharmacological Class: Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitor
Indications: Moderate to severe RA, ankylosing spondylitis, psoriatic arthritis
MOA: Binds to and inhibits TNF, a pro-inflammatory cytokine involved in
autoimmune disease pathogenesis -> decreased pain and swelling with
decreased rate of joint destruction in patients with RA
Side Effects: Increased risk of infections, injection site reactions, malignancy
risk, upper respiratory infections, HA,
Nursing Considerations: Monitor for infections, tuberculosis (TB) testing before
starting therapy, and assess for allergic reactions.
Patient Education: Report any signs of infection (fever, cough), avoid live
vaccines, and rotate injection sites to prevent irritation.
Infliximab (Remicade) Medication Class: Biologic DMARD
Pharmacological Class: TNF inhibitor
Indications: RA, Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis
MOA: Monoclonal antibody that binds to TNF-α, inhibiting its activity and
reducing inflammation -> decreased s/s, decreased rate of joint destruction,
improved physical function in RA
Side Effects: Infusion reactions (fever, chills), infections, abd pain, N/V,
hepatotoxicity, increased risk of malignancy.
Nursing Considerations: Administer via IV infusion, monitor for infusion
reactions and infections, test for TB before initiation.
Patient Education: Report infusion-related side effects, get regular TB and liver
function tests, and avoid live vaccines.
ACTUAL Questions and CORRECT Answers
Corticosteroids (Ex. Prednisone) Medication Class: Anti-inflammatory
Pharmacological Class: Corticosteroids
Indications: RA, SLE, other inflammatory/autoimmune conditions
MOA: Suppress the immune system and reduce inflammation by inhibiting
cytokine production and T-cell activation.
Side Effects: Hyperglycemia, weight gain, osteoporosis, hypertension,
increased infection risk, adrenal suppression, mood swings.
Nursing Considerations: Monitor blood glucose, blood pressure, and signs of
infection. Gradually taper off to avoid adrenal insufficiency.
Patient Education: Take as prescribed, don't stop abruptly, monitor for signs of
infection, and discuss bone health (calcium/vitamin D supplements) with your
provider.
, Methotrexate Medication Class: Disease-modifying antirheumatic drug (DMARD)
Pharmacological Class: Antimetabolite/Immunosuppressant
Indications: RA, SLE, psoriasis, cancer (in higher doses)
MOA: Inhibits dihydrofolate reductase, reducing DNA synthesis and cell
proliferation, thus dampening the immune response.
Side Effects: Hepatotoxicity, bone marrow suppression, pulmonary toxicity,
nausea, fatigue, oral ulcers.
Nursing Considerations: Monitor liver function, CBC, and pulmonary function.
Administer folic acid supplements to reduce side effects.
Patient Education: Avoid alcohol (increases liver toxicity), report any signs of
infection or unusual bleeding/bruising, and take folic acid as prescribed.
Etanercept (Enbrel) Medication Class: Biologic DMARD
Pharmacological Class: Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitor
Indications: Moderate to severe RA, ankylosing spondylitis, psoriatic arthritis
MOA: Binds to and inhibits TNF, a pro-inflammatory cytokine involved in
autoimmune disease pathogenesis -> decreased pain and swelling with
decreased rate of joint destruction in patients with RA
Side Effects: Increased risk of infections, injection site reactions, malignancy
risk, upper respiratory infections, HA,
Nursing Considerations: Monitor for infections, tuberculosis (TB) testing before
starting therapy, and assess for allergic reactions.
Patient Education: Report any signs of infection (fever, cough), avoid live
vaccines, and rotate injection sites to prevent irritation.
Infliximab (Remicade) Medication Class: Biologic DMARD
Pharmacological Class: TNF inhibitor
Indications: RA, Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis
MOA: Monoclonal antibody that binds to TNF-α, inhibiting its activity and
reducing inflammation -> decreased s/s, decreased rate of joint destruction,
improved physical function in RA
Side Effects: Infusion reactions (fever, chills), infections, abd pain, N/V,
hepatotoxicity, increased risk of malignancy.
Nursing Considerations: Administer via IV infusion, monitor for infusion
reactions and infections, test for TB before initiation.
Patient Education: Report infusion-related side effects, get regular TB and liver
function tests, and avoid live vaccines.
