A client says, "I overheard my doctor tell the medical students that I don't have effective immune surveillance. What does that mean?" How should the nurse respond?

Question

1. "I'll get the doctor to come talk to you about what you heard."
2. "I'm certain that the doctor was not talking about you."
3. "Your immune system is not identifying and removing pathogens from your system."
4. "Your body is working against itself."

Answer 1

Correct Answer: 3
Rationale 1: The nurse can answer this question.
Rationale 2: This answer does not address the client's question and makes the nurse appear reluctant to answer.
Rationale 3: The various components of the immune system work together as a single unit to accomplish effective immune surveillance. A malfunction in any portion of the system may affect the effectiveness of the entire lymphatic system.
Rationale 4: Autoimmune diseases can be described as the body working against itself. This is not the same as ineffective immune surveillance.
Global Rationale: The components of the lymphatic system provide the body with immunity, which is the ability to resist injury and infections. The lymphatic system is comprised of a network of cells, vessels, and tissues that provide immune surveillance. Although the lymphatic system can be divided into individual structures and components for ease of study, it is best to think of it as an integrated whole. The various components of this system are in continuous communication and work together as a single unit to accomplish effective immune surveillance. A malfunction in any one single component may affect the effectiveness of the entire lymphatic system. The nurse should be prepared to answer client questions such as this one and should not appear reluctant to do so. Autoimmune diseases can be described as the body working against itself. This is not the same as ineffective immune surveillance.