Critical to caring for the immunocompromised patient is the understanding that
A) the immunocompromised patient has normal white blood cell ( WBC ) physiology.
B) the immunosuppression involves a single element or process.
C) infection is the leading cause of death in these patients.
D) immune incompetence is symptomatic even without pathogen exposure.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Infection is the leading cause of death in the immunocompromised patient.The immunocompromised patient is one with defined quantitative or qualitative defects in WBCs or immune physiology.The defect may be congenital or acquired,and may involve a single element or multiple processes.Regardless of the cause,the physiological outcome is immune incompetence,with lack of normal inflammatory,phagocytic,antibody,or cytokine responses.Immune incompetence is often asymptomatic until pathogenic organisms invade the body and create infection.

Critical to Caring for the Immunocompromised Patient Is the Understanding