A Patient Is Being Treated with Interferon Beta-1a [Avonex] for Relapsing-Remitting

question 3

Multiple Choice

A patient is being treated with interferon beta-1a [Avonex] for relapsing-remitting MS. The patient calls the clinic to report headache, fever, chills, and muscle aches after administering a dose. What will the nurse recommend?

• A) Acetaminophen or ibuprofen
• B) Asking the provider to order a complete blood count (CBC)
• C) Coming to the clinic for evaluation for leukoencephalopathy
• D) Discontinuing the drug immediately

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Definitions:

Neutral Stimulus

A stimulus that initially produces no specific response other than focusing attention, until it is paired with a unconditioned stimulus to elicit a conditioned response.

Extinction

The gradual weakening and eventual disappearance of a conditioned response when the conditioned stimulus is no longer paired with the unconditioned stimulus.

Conditioned Stimulus

A previously neutral stimulus that, after becoming associated with an unconditioned stimulus, evokes a conditioned response.

Unconditioned Stimulus

An unconditioned stimulus is a stimulus that automatically triggers a reflexive response without any prior learning or conditioning.