Final answer:
A woman on cyclosporine therapy post organ transplant should avoid crowds to minimize the increased risk of infections due to immunosuppression caused by the medication.
Step-by-step explanation:
The nurse will encourage the 22-year-old woman who has received an organ transplant and is on cyclosporine therapy to avoid crowds and limit social activities primarily due to an increased risk of infections.
Cyclosporine is an immunosuppressive drug used to prevent organ rejection by suppressing the immune system, specifically by inhibiting the production of interleukin which activates T cells.
As a consequence, the patient's ability to fight off infections is diminished, making her more susceptible to infections. Immunosuppression, while necessary to prevent organ rejection, unfortunately increases the risk of infections, like CMV (cytomegalovirus), that can cause severe health issues such as liver damage or potentially even transplant rejection.
The suppression of the immune system can also result from other factors, such as systemic disorders or treatments like cytotoxic chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and certain medications.
It is important to note that cyclosporine not only helps in making transplants more successful by matching MHC molecules but also puts patients at risk due to its immunosuppressive nature.