IV Glossary

Acquired immunity: Refers to immunity that develops with exposure to various antigens as an individual’s immune system builds a defense. (Chapter 4.2)

Adaptive immune response: Activated when the nonspecific, innate immune response is insufficient to control an infection; requires the body’s exposure to a pathogen to recognize it as a threat in order for it to respond. (Chapter 4.2)

Adjuvant chemotherapy: Given after surgery or radiation therapy to kill any remaining cancer cells and lower the risk of recurrence. (Chapter 4.3)

Allergens: Substances that are generally harmless to most individuals but may induce an allergic response in some. Common allergens include pollen, dust mites, pet dander, certain foods, and insect venom. (Chapter 4.5)

Allergic responses: A specific form of hypersensitivity reactions that arise when the immune system reacts to allergens. (Chapter 4.5)

Allergy: An inflammatory response due to a hypersensitivity to a substance that most people’s bodies perceive as harmless. (Chapter 4.2)

Allogeneic transplants: A procedure that involves obtaining stem cells from a matching donor, often a sibling or unrelated donor, and then transplanting them into the client after preparatory treatments. (Chapter 4.3)

Anaphylaxis: A life-threatening Type I hypersensitivity reaction that occurs rapidly and systemically, and if not promptly treated, it can be fatal. (Chapter 4.5)

Antibodies: Proteins that destroy pathogens based on their antigens. (Chapter 4.2)

Antigens: Markers that tell the immune system whether something in the body is harmful or not; found on viruses, bacteria, cancer cells, and even normal cells of the body. (Chapter 4.2)

Autoimmune disease: Caused by the body’s inability to distinguish its own healthy cells from abnormal cells or pathogens, producing antibodies that attack its own tissues. (Chapter 4.2)

Autoimmune reactions: Actions within the body where one’s own immune system accidentally initiates a response against the body’s own healthy cells, tissues, or organs. (Chapter 4.1)

Autologous transplants: A procedure where the client’s own stem cells are collected, purified, and then reinfused following intensive chemotherapy or radiation to destroy cancer cells. (Chapter 4.3)

B cells: Cells that produce antibodies that are used to attack invading bacteria, viruses, and toxins. (Chapter 4.2)

Benign: Cells that grow and divide in a more controlled manner, remaining localized to a certain area. (Chapter 4.3)

Bone marrow transplantation: The replacement of damaged or diseased bone marrow with healthy stem cells to restore the body’s ability to produce essential blood cells. (Chapter 4.3)

Brachytherapy: A procedure where radioactive materials are placed directly inside or very close to the tumor. (Chapter 4.3)

Carcinogen: Any substance capable of causing cancer. (Chapter 4.3)

Carcinogenesis: The process of cancer development in the body. (Chapter 4.3)

Carcinoma in situ: Also known as Stage 0; cancerous or abnormal cells are present, but they are localized to the initial layer of cells where they were first discovered. (Chapter 4.3)

Chemical carcinogenesis: Occurs due to exposure to various chemicals, drugs, and products encountered in everyday life. (Chapter 4.3)

Chemotherapy: The use of medications to destroy or slow the growth of cancer cells. (Chapter 4.3)

Chyle: Lipids and fat-soluble vitamins absorbed in the small intestine (Chapter 4.2)

C-reactive protein: High levels of C-reactive protein in blood samples indicate a serious infection or other medical condition is causing inflammation. (Chapter 4.2)

Curative surgery: Surgery that aims to completely remove the cancerous tumor when it is localized and hasn’t spread to other parts of the body. (Chapter 4.3)

Cytokines: Proteins secreted by cells that act as chemical messengers in immune responses. (Chapter 4.2)

Cytokine storm: A severe immune reaction in which the body releases too many cytokines into the blood too quickly; can occur as a result of an infection, autoimmune condition, or other disease. Signs and symptoms include high fever, inflammation, severe fatigue, and nausea. (Chapter 4.2)

Cytotoxic: Effects within the body that impact cells that are rapidly dividing. (Chapter 4.3)

Discoid rash: Raised red patches with scaling and scarring. (Chapter 4.6)

Extravasation: A process by which cancer cells cross into surrounding tissues by squeezing through vessel walls. (Chapter 4.3)

Helper T cells: Use chemical messengers to activate the adaptive immune response by stimulating B cells to make antibodies and help develop killer T cells. (Chapter 4.2)

Hematuria: Blood in urine. (Chapter 4.6)

Histamine: Released during the immune response and a primary cause of allergies and anaphylactic shock. (Chapter 4.2)

Humoral immunity: Refers to the function of B cells and their production of antibodies to destroy pathogens in the interstitial spaces. (Chapter 4.2)

Hypercalcemia: Increased calcium levels caused by tumor invasion into bone or increased production of parathyroid hormone or vitamin D3. (Chapter 4.3)

Hypersensitivities: A range of exaggerated immune responses triggered by exposure to specific antigens. (Chapter 4.5)

Immune evasion: Strategies developed by cancer cells to evade immune recognition. (Chapter 4.3)

Immune system: The complex collection of cells and organs that destroys or neutralizes pathogens that would otherwise cause infection, disease, or death. (Chapter 4.2)

Immunization: A method to trigger an individual’s acquired immune response and prevent future disease. (Chapter 4.2)

Immunodeficiency: Results from a failure or absence of lymphocytes, phagocytes, and the complement system; can be caused by either primary or secondary reasons. (Chapter 4.2)

Immunoglobulins: Specific types of antibodies that provide immediate protection against an antigen, but do not provide long-lasting protection. (Chapter 4.2)

Immunological memory: Refers to the ability of the adaptive immune response to mount a stronger and faster immune response upon reexposure to a pathogen. (Chapter 4.2)

Immunosurveillance: The immune process involving T cells, natural killer cells, and cytokines to target and destroy cancer cells. (Chapter 4.3)

Immunotherapy: Therapies that enable one’s own immune system to target and destroy cancer cells. (Chapter 4.3)

Inflammation: Characterized by heat, redness, pain, and swelling but is an important process that recruits immune defenses to eliminate pathogens, remove damaged and dead cells, and initiate repair mechanisms. (Chapter 4.2)

Innate immune response: Defends the body against pathogens through physical defenses and internal defenses; present from the moment we are born. (Chapter 4.2)

Interstitial space: The space between individual cells in the tissues. (Chapter 4.2)

Killer T cells: Directly kill cells that have been invaded by a virus or are otherwise abnormal; also known as cytotoxic cells. (Chapter 4.2)

Lymph: A fluid that transports immune cells and waste products. (Chapter 4.2)

Lymphatic system: The system of vessels, cells, and organs that transports fluid called lymph to the bloodstream and also filters pathogens from the blood. (Chapter 4.2)

Lymphedema: The accumulation of fluid in interstitial spaces. (Chapter 4.2)

Lymph node: Store immune system cells that help the body fight infection and also filter the lymph fluid to remove foreign material such as bacteria and cancer cells. (Chapter 4.2)

Lymphocyte: A type of white blood cell that fights infection. (Chapter 4.2)

Macrophages: Created from monocytes, a type of white blood cell, and can destroy multiple pathogens. (Chapter 4.2)

Malar rash: Butterfly-shaped rash across the cheeks and nose. (Chapter 4.6)

Malignant cells: Abnormal cells that have the ability to invade and harm tissues. (Chapter 4.1, Chapter 4.3)

Metastasize: The spread of cancerous cells through the blood or lymphatic system to different areas of the body. (Chapter 4.3)

Neoadjuvant chemotherapy: Medication administered before surgery or radiation to shrink tumors and make them more manageable for surgical removal or radiation treatment. (Chapter 4.3)

Neutrophils: The most abundant type of white blood cells. (Chapter 4.2)

Oncogene activation: Occurs when specific genes within a cell’s normal makeup become replicated out of control due to loss of cellular regulation or exposure to carcinogenic agents. (Chapter 4.3)

Oncogenes: Substances that promote cell growth. (Chapter 4.3)

Oncological emergencies: A variety of emergency conditions that can arise in a client with cancer. These emergencies can be related to metabolic changes in the body that are associated with cancer, structural changes in which a cancerous tumor is impinging on other organs or structures, or a result of cancer treatment. (Chapter 4.3)

Palliative surgery: Surgery that focuses on relieving symptoms and improving the client’s quality of life. (Chapter 4.3)

Passive immunity: The transfer of immunity due to antibodies that are produced in a body other than one’s own. (Chapter 4.2)

Pathogens: Microorganisms that cause infection. (Chapter 4.2)

Personal protective equipment (PPE): Barriers between the health care provider and hazardous substances to prevent direct contact and reduce the potential for exposure. (Chapter 4.3)

Phagocytosis: The process of specific white blood cells engulfing and destroying pathogens. (Chapter 4.2)

Pleural effusion: Accumulation of fluid in the space around the lungs. (Chapter 4.6)

Pleuritis: Inflammation of chest wall. (Chapter 4.6)

Primary prevention: Strategies aimed at preventing the initial occurrence of cancer. (Chapter 4.3)

Proteinuria: Protein in urine. (Chapter 4.6)

Radiation therapy: Therapy using high-energy rays or particles to target and damage cancer cells. (Chapter 4.3)

Retinopathy: Inflammation of the retina affecting vision. (Chapter 4.6)

Secondary prevention: Strategies focused on early detection and intervention to identify cancer at an early stage. (Chapter 4.3)

Spleen: Stores and filters red blood cells and functions as the location of immune responses to blood-borne pathogens. (Chapter 4.2)

Staging: Completed by a health care provider to determine how big a tumor is and whether or not it has metastasized to other parts of the body. (Chapter 4.3)

Stem cells: Undifferentiated cells with the unique ability to differentiate into different cell types. (Chapter 4.3)

Stem cell treatment: Treatment that encompasses various techniques and focuses on using stem cells to replace damaged tissues, enhance the body’s natural healing processes, and combat cancerous growth. (Chapter 4.3)

Stomatitis: A condition characterized by inflammation and ulcers in the oral mucous membranes due to the effects of chemotherapy and radiation therapy. (Chapter 4.4)

Superior vena cava syndrome: Compression of the superior vena cava by a cancerous tumor. (Chapter 4.3)

Syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone (SIADH): When cancerous tumors produce excessive antidiuretic hormone. Can also be caused by some chemotherapy medications. Leads to water retention. (Chapter 4.3)

Systemic chemotherapy: Medications used to treat cancers that have spread to distant parts of the body that are effective against rapidly dividing cells. (Chapter 4.3)

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE): A chronic autoimmune disease that can affect various different organs and tissues in the body, characterized by the immune system mistakenly attacking healthy cells and tissues, leading to inflammation and damage. (Chapter 4.6)

T cells: Cells that destroy the body’s own cells that have been taken over by viruses or become cancerous. (Chapter 4.2)

Teletherapy: Therapy involving directing radiation beams from outside the body toward the tumor. (Chapter 4.3)

Tertiary prevention: A type of prevention that focuses on managing symptoms, enhancing the quality of life, and reducing the risk of complications for someone who is diagnosed with cancer. (Chapter 4.3)

Thymus gland: An organ found in the space between the sternum and the aorta; place where immature T cells mature. (Chapter 4.2)

Tonsils: Lymphoid nodules located along the inner surface of the pharynx and are important in developing immunity to oral pathogens. (Chapter 4.2)

Tumor lysis syndrome: Tumor cells break down in response to cancer treatment and release intracellular contents into the bloodstream. Can also occur spontaneously in some cancers. This disrupts the normal balance of electrolytes in the body. (Chapter 4.3)

Tumor suppressor genes: Genes that regulate cell growth and prevent mutations. (Chapter 4.3)

Type 1 Hypersensitivity (Immediate): The most common type of hypersensitivity reaction that involves rapid and excessive immune responses to harmless allergens. (Chapter 4.5)

Type 2 Hypersensitivity (Cytotoxic): A hypersensitivity reaction that involves antibodies targeting antigens on cell surfaces, leading to the destruction or dysfunction of the affected cells. (Chapter 4.5)

Type 3 Hypersensitivity (Immune Complex): A hypersensitivity reaction that involves immune complexes formed between antibodies and soluble antigens that deposit in various tissues, leading to localized inflammation and tissue damage. (Chapter 4.5)

Type 4 Hypersensitivity (Delayed): A hypersensitivity reaction that involves cell-mediated immune responses mediated by T cells, causing inflammation and tissue damage. (Chapter 4.5)

Type 5 Stimulated (Autoimmune Reaction): A hypersensitivity reaction that occurs when the immune system mistakenly attacks the body’s own cells and tissues as if they were foreign antigens, leading to chronic inflammation and tissue damage. (Chapter 4.5)

Vaccine: An agent administered by injection, orally, or by nasal spray that provides active acquired immunity to a particular infectious disease. (Chapter 4.2)