Pharmacologic Profile

General Use

Immune globulins provide passive immunization to infectious diseases by providing antibodies. Immunization with vaccines and toxoids containing bacterial or viral antigenic material results in endogenous production of antibodies.

General Action and Information

Immunity from immune globulins is rapid, but short-lived (up to 3 months). Active immunization with vaccine or toxoids produces prolonged immunity (years).

Contraindications

Hypersensitivity to product, preservatives, or other additives. Some products contain thimerisol, neomycin, and/or egg protein.

Precautions

Severe bleeding problems (IM injections).

Interactions

↓antibody response to vaccine/toxoids and ↑ risk of adverse reactions in patients receiving concurrent antineoplastic, immunosuppressive, or radiation therapy.

Nursing Implications

Assessment

• Assess previous immunization history and history of hypersensitivity.

Potential Nursing Diagnoses

• Risk for infection (Indications)
• Deficient knowledge related to disease processes and medication regimen (Patient/Family Teaching)

Implementation

• Measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine, trivalent oral polio virus vaccine, and diphtheria toxoid, tetanus toxoid, and pertussis vaccine may be given concurrently.
• Administer each immunization by appropriate route.

Patient/Family Teaching

• Inform patient/parent of potential and reportable side effects of immunization. Health care professional should be notified if patient develops fever over 39.4°C (103°F); difficulty breathing; hives; itching; swelling of the eyes, face, or inside of nose; sudden severe tiredness or weakness; or convulsions occur.
• Review next scheduled immunization with parent. Emphasize the importance of keeping a record of immunizations and dates given.

Evaluation/Desired Outcomes

• Prevention of diseases through active immunity.