ATLAND Nursing
Immune System and Disorders
Nursing Study Notes
Overview of Anatomy and Physiology
Functions of Immune System
1. Fortify and protect the body against microorganisms from outside the human body.
2. Protects the human body from inner threats, and remove dead or damaged cells from the
body.
Parts of the Immune System
1. The Innate Immune System.
Consists of non-specific responses - for example, the skin which is the first line of
defence against infections.
It is present at birth and includes biochemical, physical, mechanical barriers of defence
and inflammatory responses.
Also called native or natural immunity.
2. The Acquired Immune System
Consists of specific responses – occurs as a reaction to an antigen- for example, the
activation of the T helper cells.
Also called adaptive immunity.
It is received passively from the mother,s antibodies, animal serum, or antibodies
produced in response to a disease
Immunization produces active acquired immunity
ATLAND Nursing 1 Nursing Study Notes
,Types of Immunity
a) Natural Immunity – immunity that is acquired naturally. For example, a person develops
immunity naturally by developing antibodies to an infection or disease, such as measles,
after childhood infections.
b) Artificial Immunity – immunity that is is not acquired naturally. For example, a person will
have artificial immunity after they get immunization against an infection – such as immune
against diphtheria, after getting an immunization shot for diphtheria.
c) Active Immunity – occurs when the person produces antibodies. Active immunity can
occur as a result of getting a particular infection and also by being given an immunization
against the particular infection.
d) Passive Immunity – immunity that occurs when a person gets antibodies with an injection
of gamma globulin, an immunoglobulin, and when a fetus gets antibodies in utero from
the mother.
ATLAND Nursing 2 Nursing Study Notes
,Immune Response
A. T Lymphocytes and B Lymphocytes
Lymphocytes are produced in the bone marrow and migrate to lymphoid tissue.
They remain dormant until they need to form sensitized lymphocytes for cellular
immunity or antibodies for humoral immunity.
Some B lymphocytes lie dormant until a specific antigen enters the body, they
multiply and create a defence.
T lymphocytes include helper/inducer, suppressor, and cytotoxic/cytolytic.
T and B lymphocytes are necessary for a normal immune response
B. Humoral Response
It is immediate
It protects against acute, rapidly developing bacterial and viral infections
C. Cellular Response
It is delayed; it is also called delayed hypersensitivity.
It is active against slowly developing bacterial infections and is involved in
autoimmune responses, some allergic reactions, and the rejection of foreign cells.
Diagnostic Tests and Procedures
1. Antinuclear antibody (ANA) titer determination
Is a blood test used for the differential diagnosis of rheumatic diseases and the
detection of anti-nucleoprotein factors and patterns associated with certain
autoimmune diseases
The test is positive at a titer of 1:20 or 1:40, depending on the laboratory.
ANA titer is positive in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE); systemic sclerosis
(scleroderma) or rheumatoid arthritis.
ATLAND Nursing 3 Nursing Study Notes
, 2. Ant – dsDNA antibody test
Is a blood test done specifically to identify or differentiate DNA antibodies found in
SLE
Lower than 70 units by ELISA – indicates negative
70 to 200 units – indicates borderline
Higher than 200 units – indicates positive
3. Testing related to acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDs)
a) ELISA test confirmed with Western Blot
b) CD4+ T-cell counts
Monitors the progression of HIV
As the disease progresses, CD+ T-cells decreases, resulting in decreased
immunity
Normal CD4+ T-cell count is between 500 and 1600 cells/L.
The immune system remains healthy with CD4+ T-cell counts higher than 500
cells/L
With CD4+ T-cell count between 200 and 499 cells/L immune system
problems occur.
CD4+ T-cell count lower than 200 cells/L severe immune system problems
occur.
c) CD4 – to – CD8 ratio
Monitors progression of the disease
The normal ratio is approximately 2:1
d) Viral culture – infected client's blood cells in a culture medium and measuring the
amount of reverse transcriptase activity over a special period.
e) Viral load testing – measures the presence of HIV viral genetic material (RNA) or
another viral protein in the client’s blood.
f) The p24 antigen assay – quantifies the amount of HIV viral core protein in the
client’s serum.
g) Oral testing for HIV
Uses a device that is placed against the gum and cheek for 2 minutes
Fluid(not saliva) is drawn into an absorbable pad, which, in an HIV-positive
individual, contains antibodies.
The pad is put in a solution and the results are checked
If the result is positive, a blood test is needed to confirm the results.
h) Home test kits for HIV
4. Skin testing
An allergen is administered to the surface of the skin or into the dermis
Administered by patch, scratch, or intradermal techniques.
ATLAND Nursing 4 Nursing Study Notes
Immune System and Disorders
Nursing Study Notes
Overview of Anatomy and Physiology
Functions of Immune System
1. Fortify and protect the body against microorganisms from outside the human body.
2. Protects the human body from inner threats, and remove dead or damaged cells from the
body.
Parts of the Immune System
1. The Innate Immune System.
Consists of non-specific responses - for example, the skin which is the first line of
defence against infections.
It is present at birth and includes biochemical, physical, mechanical barriers of defence
and inflammatory responses.
Also called native or natural immunity.
2. The Acquired Immune System
Consists of specific responses – occurs as a reaction to an antigen- for example, the
activation of the T helper cells.
Also called adaptive immunity.
It is received passively from the mother,s antibodies, animal serum, or antibodies
produced in response to a disease
Immunization produces active acquired immunity
ATLAND Nursing 1 Nursing Study Notes
,Types of Immunity
a) Natural Immunity – immunity that is acquired naturally. For example, a person develops
immunity naturally by developing antibodies to an infection or disease, such as measles,
after childhood infections.
b) Artificial Immunity – immunity that is is not acquired naturally. For example, a person will
have artificial immunity after they get immunization against an infection – such as immune
against diphtheria, after getting an immunization shot for diphtheria.
c) Active Immunity – occurs when the person produces antibodies. Active immunity can
occur as a result of getting a particular infection and also by being given an immunization
against the particular infection.
d) Passive Immunity – immunity that occurs when a person gets antibodies with an injection
of gamma globulin, an immunoglobulin, and when a fetus gets antibodies in utero from
the mother.
ATLAND Nursing 2 Nursing Study Notes
,Immune Response
A. T Lymphocytes and B Lymphocytes
Lymphocytes are produced in the bone marrow and migrate to lymphoid tissue.
They remain dormant until they need to form sensitized lymphocytes for cellular
immunity or antibodies for humoral immunity.
Some B lymphocytes lie dormant until a specific antigen enters the body, they
multiply and create a defence.
T lymphocytes include helper/inducer, suppressor, and cytotoxic/cytolytic.
T and B lymphocytes are necessary for a normal immune response
B. Humoral Response
It is immediate
It protects against acute, rapidly developing bacterial and viral infections
C. Cellular Response
It is delayed; it is also called delayed hypersensitivity.
It is active against slowly developing bacterial infections and is involved in
autoimmune responses, some allergic reactions, and the rejection of foreign cells.
Diagnostic Tests and Procedures
1. Antinuclear antibody (ANA) titer determination
Is a blood test used for the differential diagnosis of rheumatic diseases and the
detection of anti-nucleoprotein factors and patterns associated with certain
autoimmune diseases
The test is positive at a titer of 1:20 or 1:40, depending on the laboratory.
ANA titer is positive in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE); systemic sclerosis
(scleroderma) or rheumatoid arthritis.
ATLAND Nursing 3 Nursing Study Notes
, 2. Ant – dsDNA antibody test
Is a blood test done specifically to identify or differentiate DNA antibodies found in
SLE
Lower than 70 units by ELISA – indicates negative
70 to 200 units – indicates borderline
Higher than 200 units – indicates positive
3. Testing related to acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDs)
a) ELISA test confirmed with Western Blot
b) CD4+ T-cell counts
Monitors the progression of HIV
As the disease progresses, CD+ T-cells decreases, resulting in decreased
immunity
Normal CD4+ T-cell count is between 500 and 1600 cells/L.
The immune system remains healthy with CD4+ T-cell counts higher than 500
cells/L
With CD4+ T-cell count between 200 and 499 cells/L immune system
problems occur.
CD4+ T-cell count lower than 200 cells/L severe immune system problems
occur.
c) CD4 – to – CD8 ratio
Monitors progression of the disease
The normal ratio is approximately 2:1
d) Viral culture – infected client's blood cells in a culture medium and measuring the
amount of reverse transcriptase activity over a special period.
e) Viral load testing – measures the presence of HIV viral genetic material (RNA) or
another viral protein in the client’s blood.
f) The p24 antigen assay – quantifies the amount of HIV viral core protein in the
client’s serum.
g) Oral testing for HIV
Uses a device that is placed against the gum and cheek for 2 minutes
Fluid(not saliva) is drawn into an absorbable pad, which, in an HIV-positive
individual, contains antibodies.
The pad is put in a solution and the results are checked
If the result is positive, a blood test is needed to confirm the results.
h) Home test kits for HIV
4. Skin testing
An allergen is administered to the surface of the skin or into the dermis
Administered by patch, scratch, or intradermal techniques.
ATLAND Nursing 4 Nursing Study Notes
