Question

a nurse is caring for a client who has a prescription for etanercept. the nurse should identify that etanercept treats rheumatoid arthritis by which of the following actions?

• inactivation of tumor necrosis factor
• inhibition of osteoclast activity
• decreasing the reuptake of serotonin
• interference with the production of lymphocytes

Explanation:

Etanercept is a tumor necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitor. In rheumatoid arthritis, TNF plays a key role in the inflammatory process. Etanercept works by inactivating TNF, which helps reduce the inflammation and joint damage associated with rheumatoid arthritis.

• "Inhibition of osteoclast activity" is more related to drugs like bisphosphonates (for osteoporosis), not etanercept.
• "Decreasing the reuptake of serotonin" is the mechanism of antidepressants (like SSRIs), not relevant here.
• "Interference with the production of lymphocytes" is not the mechanism of etanercept; etanercept targets TNF, not lymphocyte production.

Answer:

A. Inactivation of tumor necrosis factor