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Introduction
Introduction ( 5 Questions)
A nurse is caring for a client who has rheumatoid arthritis and is prescribed prednisone, a glucocorticoid. What is the primary mechanism of action of prednisone in this condition?
Prednisone is a synthetic glucocorticoid that mimics the natural hormone cortisol, which is produced by the adrenal cortex. Cortisol has potent anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive effects by inhibiting the synthesis of inflammatory mediators such as prostaglandins, leukotrienes, histamine, cytokines, and adhesion molecules, and by suppressing the activation and proliferation of lymphocytes, macrophages, eosinophils, and mast cells. These effects reduce the immune-mediated damage to the self-tissues in autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis.
This option is wrong because it describes the mechanism of action of calcineurin inhibitors, not glucocorticoids. Calcineurin inhibitors are a type of immunosuppressant that target T cells specifically, while glucocorticoids have a broader effect on various immune cells and inflammatory mediators.
This option is wrong because it describes the mechanism of action of antimetabolites, not glucocorticoids. Antimetabolites are a type of immunosuppressant that interfere with the synthesis of nucleic acids, which are the building blocks of DNA and RNA. This affects the replication and function of immune cells, as well as other rapidly dividing cells such as cancer cells.
This option is wrong because it describes the mechanism of action of monoclonal antibodies, not glucocorticoids. Monoclonal antibodies are a type of immunosuppressant that bind to specific antigens or receptors on the surface of immune cells and either neutralize them or induce their destruction. This can prevent the activation or function of immune cells that are involved in transplant rejection or autoimmune diseases.
A. It inhibits the synthesis of inflammatory mediators and suppresses the activation and proliferation of immune cells.
Prednisone is a synthetic glucocorticoid that mimics the natural hormone cortisol, which is produced by the adrenal cortex. Cortisol has potent anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive effects by inhibiting the synthesis of inflammatory mediators such as prostaglandins, leukotrienes, histamine, cytokines, and adhesion molecules, and by suppressing the activation and proliferation of lymphocytes, macrophages, eosinophils, and mast cells. These effects reduce the immune-mediated damage to the self-tissues in autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis.
The other options are wrong because:
B. It blocks the activation of T cells by inhibiting the enzyme calcineurin, which is required for the transcription of interleukin-2.
This option is wrong because it describes the mechanism of action of calcineurin inhibitors, not glucocorticoids. Calcineurin inhibitors are a type of immunosuppressant that target T cells specifically, while glucocorticoids have a broader effect on various immune cells and inflammatory mediators.
C. It interferes with the synthesis of nucleic acids, which are essential for the replication and function of immune cells.
This option is wrong because it describes the mechanism of action of antimetabolites, not glucocorticoids. Antimetabolites are a type of immunosuppressant that interfere with the synthesis of nucleic acids, which are the building blocks of DNA and RNA. This affects the replication and function of immune cells, as well as other rapidly dividing cells such as cancer cells.
D. It binds to specific antigens or receptors on the surface of immune cells and either neutralizes them or induces their destruction.
This option is wrong because it describes the mechanism of action of monoclonal antibodies, not glucocorticoids. Monoclonal antibodies are a type of immunosuppressant that bind to specific antigens or receptors on the surface of immune cells and either neutralize them or induce their destruction. This can prevent the activation or function of immune cells that are involved in transplant rejection or autoimmune diseases.
