The nurse is evaluating the patient's laboratory values and notes an IgG level of 240 mg/dL. The nurse realizes that this patient is a candidate for:
a. no change in therapy because the level is normal.
b. an immunoglobulin infusion.
c. gene replacement therapy.
d. increased doses of immunosuppressive medications.
B
Medical therapy is directed at reversing the cause of the immune dysfunction and preventing infectious complications. In primary immunodeficiencies, B-cell and T-cell defects are treated with specific replacement therapy or bone marrow transplantation. IgG blood levels of less than 300 mg/dL warrant immunoglobulin infusion. Gene replacement therapy may soon be a realistic curative treatment option for some disorders. In secondary immunodeficiencies, the underlying causative condition is treated. For example, malnutrition is corrected, or doses of immunosuppressive medications are adjusted. For this patient, immunosuppressive medications should be discontinued or doses lowered.
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