Question

A client who was exposed to hepatitis A asks why an injection of gamma globulin is needed. Which would the nurse consider teaching about how gamma globulin provides passive immunity?

A. It increases production of short-lived antibodies.
B. It accelerates antigen-antibody union at the hepatic sites.
C. The lymphatic system is stimulated to produce antibodies.
D. The antigen is neutralized by the antibodies that it supplies.

Answer 1

Gamma globulin is rich in antibodies and, when given to a person, it supplies the individual with ready-made antibodies. The correct answer to why gamma globulin is needed is D. The antigen is neutralized by the antibodies that it supplies.

Step-by-step explanation:

When a client is exposed to hepatitis A, an injection of gamma globulin, which provides passive immunity, is often administered. Gamma globulin is rich in antibodies and, when given to a person, it supplies the individual with ready-made antibodies. The correct answer to why gamma globulin is needed is D. The antigen is neutralized by the antibodies that it supplies. These antibodies immediately bind to and neutralize the hepatitis A virus, hence offering protection against the infection. Unlike active immunity, where the body's own immune system is stimulated to produce antibodies (a process that can take weeks), passive immunity through gamma globulin provides immediate protection by directly introducing antibodies into the bloodstream. This is particularly important in cases where immediate protection is needed, as in exposure to hepatitis A, because the body does not have to take time to produce its own antibodies.