Question

3. A patient goes to an urgent care center and complains of symptoms of the flu.

   1. What assessment parameters does the nurse use for determining the status of the patient’s immune function? Explain clearly.

Answer 1

An assessment of immune function begins with a health history and physical examination.

Health history

The history should note the patient’s age along with information about past and present conditions and events that may provide clues to the status of the patient’s immune system. Areas to be addressed include nutritional status; infections and immunizations; allergies; disorder and disease states, such as autoimmune disorders, cancer, and chronic illness; surgery; medications; and blood transfusions.

Age: It is an important factor to elicit from the patient as people at the extremes of the life span are more likely to develop problems related to immune system functioning than are those in their middle years

Nutritional status: The nurse assesses the patient’s nutritional status as it is essential for optimal functioning of the immune system.

History of infection and allergy: The patient is asked about immunizations, exposure to tuberculosis is assessed and history of past and present infections, fevers of unknown origin, lesions or sores, or any type of drainage, are obtained.

The patient is asked about history of any allergies, including types of allergens Recurrent respiratory tract infections are associated with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease as a result of altered inspiratory and expiratory function and ineffective airway clearance.

Physical assessment

Check Vitals, Assess the temperature frequently.

Perform a thorough head to toe examination.

Physical assessment includes palpation of the lymph nodes and examination of the skin, mucous membranes, and respiratory, gastrointestinal, genitourinary, cardiovascular, and neurosensory systems. Any signs of infection are noted. The patient’s temperature is recorded, and the patient is observed for chills and sweating.

Laboratory assessment

Blood tests: Tests used to diagnose an immune disorder include blood tests. Blood tests can determine if you have normal levels of infection-fighting proteins (immunoglobulin) in your blood and measure the levels of blood cells and immune system cells.

A complete blood count is a commonly performed blood test that is often included as part of a routine checkup. Complete blood counts can be used to help detect a variety of disorders including any kind of infections such as flu or diseases of the immune system. White blood cells protect the body against infection. If an infection develops, white blood cells attack and destroy the bacteria, virus, or other organism causing it.

Immunoglobulin Test: An immunoglobulin test measures the level of types of antibodies in the blood. The immune system makes antibodies to protect the body from bacteria, viruses, and allergens. The body makes different antibodies, or immunoglobulin’s, to fight different things.

Last but not the least nurse must follow all the assessment advice by doctor.