An older adult patient taking high-dose corticosteroids to treat arthritis requests a pneumonia vaccine. What is the nurse's best response?
A) "Pneumonia vaccines are only given if you are at risk for serious pulmonary problems."
B) "Live virus vaccines cannot be given to people who are significantly immunosuppressed."
C) "Patients taking corticosteroids are well protected from viruses and do not need vaccines."
D) "Corticosteroids interact with the pneumococcal vaccine to create serious adverse effects."
B
Feedback:
Corticosteroids block the inflammatory response and are very helpful in conditions such as arthritis. However, they also block the immune response, making a person immunosuppressed. The vaccine would not be given to this patient because of the increased risk for infection. An older adult would be considered at high risk for pneumonia so getting the vaccine would be encouraged if not for taking corticosteroids. Corticosteroids do not protect against viruses. The vaccine is contraindicated because of risk for infection and not because of a potential drug–drug interaction.
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