immunity Flashcards
A nurse is caring for a patient who is experiencing a hypersensitivity reaction after receiving an antibiotic. Which of the following symptoms would the nurse expect to observe?
A) High fever and chills
B)Shortness of breath and hives
C) Joint pain and swelling
D) Muscle weakness and fatigue
Answer: 2. Shortness of breath and hives
Rationale: Hypersensitivity reactions, such as anaphylaxis, commonly present with symptoms like hives, shortness of breath, swelling, and itching
Innate immunity is specific to certain pathogens and develops after exposure to antigens.
Answer: False
Rationale: Innate immunity is non-specific and is present from birth, providing a general defense against pathogens without requiring prior exposure
Which of the following are functions of the lymphatic system? (Select all that apply)
- Removal of dead or damaged cells
- Production of antibodies
- Filtering foreign proteins from lymph
- Initiation of adaptive immune response
- Production of red blood cells
Answer: 1. Removal of dead or damaged cells, 3. Filtering foreign proteins from lymph, 4. Initiation of adaptive immune response
Rationale: The lymphatic system helps filter out foreign proteins from the lymph and initiates an adaptive immune response. It also removes dead or damaged cells from the body
A patient with a suppressed immune system is at high risk for developing infections. Which of the following interventions should the nurse prioritize to minimize this risk?
- Encourage a high-protein diet
2.Use protective isolation as needed
3.Allow the patient to receive visitors - Administer NSAIDs to reduce inflammation
Answer: 2. Use protective isolation as needed
Rationale: Protective isolation helps reduce the risk of infections in immunocompromised patients by limiting exposure to potential pathogens
Which immune cells are involved in the formation of antibodies during an adaptive immune response?
- T-lymphocytes
- Neutrophils
- B-lymphocytes
- Macrophages
Answer: 3. B-lymphocytes
Rationale: B-lymphocytes (B-cells) are responsible for producing antibodies that specifically target antigens during the adaptive immune response
Which of the following are considered risk factors for a suppressed immune response? (Select all that apply)
1. Elderly age
2.Unsanitary living conditions
3.Poor nutrition
4.History of an autoimmune disorder
5. Recent vaccination
Answer: 1. Elderly age, 2. Unsanitary living conditions, 3. Poor nutrition, 4. History of an autoimmune disorder
Rationale: Elderly individuals, those living in unsanitary conditions, with poor nutrition, or with autoimmune disorders, are at increased risk of having a suppressed immune response. Recent vaccination, however, enhances immune protection
Inflammation is always harmful to the body.
Answer: False
Rationale: Inflammation is a normal and necessary part of the immune response, helping to eliminate harmful stimuli and initiate healing. However, chronic inflammation can become harmful
Which of the following best describes passive immunity?
1. It involves the body’s natural production of antibodies.
2.It is acquired from external sources like vaccines.
3. It provides long-lasting immunity.
4.It is transferred from one person to another, such as from mother to baby.
Answer: 4. It is transferred from one person to another, such as from mother to baby.
Rationale: Passive immunity is acquired through the transfer of antibodies from another individual, such as from mother to infant or through immunoglobulin therapy
A nurse is reviewing the laboratory results of a patient with an acute infection. Which of the following findings would be expected?
1.Low white blood cell count
2.High neutrophil count
3.Decreased erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR)
4.Normal C-reactive protein (CRP) level
Answer: 2. High neutrophil count
Rationale: During an acute infection, the neutrophil count typically increases as part of the body’s response to fight off pathogens. ESR and CRP are also likely elevated, while white blood cell counts may remain normal or increase
Which of the following are characteristics of an optimal innate immune system? (Select all that apply)
1.Involves phagocytosis by neutrophils
2.Provides immediate protection against pathogens
3.Creates memory cells for future infections
4.Removes dead or damaged tissues
5.Develops specific antibodies to pathogens
Answers: 1. Involves phagocytosis by neutrophils, 2. Provides immediate protection against pathogens, 4. Removes dead or damaged tissues
Rationale: The innate immune system provides immediate, non-specific protection and involves processes like phagocytosis. Memory cell formation and specific antibody development are functions of the adaptive immune system
Adaptive immunity includes both humoral and cell-mediated responses.
Answer: True
Rationale: Adaptive immunity involves both humoral immunity (mediated by B-cells and antibodies) and cell-mediated immunity (involving T-cells) to target specific pathogens
A nurse is teaching a patient about the importance of vaccinations. Which of the following best describes how vaccines provide immunity?
- Vaccines stimulate the innate immune system.
- Vaccines provide passive immunity by transferring antibodies.
- Vaccines stimulate the adaptive immune system to produce memory cells.
- Vaccines directly kill the pathogen before it infects the body.
Answer: 3. Vaccines stimulate the adaptive immune system to produce memory cells.
Rationale: Vaccines work by introducing antigens that stimulate the adaptive immune system, leading to the production of memory cells that provide long-term immunity
Which of the following are functions of antibodies in the immune response? (Select all that apply)
- Neutralize toxins
2.Opsonize pathogens for phagocytosis
3.Activate the complement system
4.Directly kill viruses - Stimulate the production of T-cells
Answers: 1. Neutralize toxins, 2. Opsonize pathogens for phagocytosis, 3. Activate the complement system
Rationale: Antibodies help neutralize toxins, mark pathogens for destruction (opsonization), and activate the complement system. They do not directly kill viruses or stimulate T-cell production
A patient with multiple sclerosis (MS) is experiencing fatigue and muscle weakness. This is an example of which type of immune response?
1. Normal immune response
2.Suppressed immune response
3.Exaggerated immune response
4. Autoimmune response
Answer: 4. Autoimmune response
Rationale: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disorder where the body’s immune system attacks its own tissues, specifically the myelin sheath around nerve fibers
Humoral immunity primarily involves the actions of B-lymphocytes and the production of antibodies.
Answer: True
Rationale: Humoral immunity is mediated by B-lymphocytes, which produce antibodies to neutralize pathogens
Which of the following is an example of innate immunity?
A. Antibodies created after receiving a vaccine
B. Memory cells responding to a repeated exposure to an antigen
C. Phagocytosis of bacteria by neutrophils
D. Cytotoxic T cells attacking infected cells
Answer: C. Phagocytosis of bacteria by neutrophils
Rationale: Innate immunity includes non-specific defense mechanisms like phagocytosis by neutrophils, which act immediately after exposure to pathogens
Which type of immunity is acquired after exposure to a disease or through vaccination?
A. Innate immunity
B. Passive immunity
C. Humoral immunity
D. Active immunity
Answer: D. Active immunity
Rationale: Active immunity develops when the body is exposed to an antigen through infection or vaccination, and it generates its own antibodies
A nurse is caring for a patient with an autoimmune disease. Which of the following describes the process involved in an autoimmune response?
A. The immune system fails to recognize self from non-self and attacks the body’s tissues.
B. The immune system becomes suppressed and is unable to fight infections.
C. The immune system creates antibodies to neutralize viruses.
D. The immune system generates an exaggerated response to harmless antigens like pollen
Answer: A. The immune system fails to recognize self from non-self and attacks the body’s tissues.
Rationale: In autoimmune diseases, the immune system mistakenly attacks the body’s own cells, leading to tissue damage
Which of the following is NOT considered a component of the adaptive immune system? A. B-lymphocytes
B. Antibodies
C. Skin and mucous membranes
D. Cytotoxic T cells
Answer: C. Skin and mucous membranes
Rationale: Skin and mucous membranes are part of the innate immune system, which provides a physical barrier to pathogens. The adaptive immune system includes B-lymphocytes, antibodies, and T cells
A nurse is teaching a group of students about passive immunity. Which of the following is an example of passive immunity?
A. A baby receiving antibodies from breast milk
B. A patient developing antibodies after receiving a vaccine
C. A patient producing memory cells after recovering from the flu
D. A patient generating a fever in response to infection
Answer: A. A baby receiving antibodies from breast milk
Rationale: Passive immunity occurs when antibodies are transferred from one individual to another, such as from mother to baby through breast milk
Which of the following cells is responsible for directly killing infected or cancerous cells? A. Neutrophils
B. Helper T cells
C. Cytotoxic T cells
D. B-lymphocytes
Answer: C. Cytotoxic T cells
Rationale: Cytotoxic T cells (CD8+ cells) directly attack and destroy cells infected with viruses or cancerous cells
Which of the following best describes the role of the complement system in immunity?
A. It produces antibodies to neutralize pathogens.
B. It enhances phagocytosis by tagging pathogens for destruction.
C. It generates memory cells for future infections.
D. It triggers the production of white blood cells.
Answer: B. It enhances phagocytosis by tagging pathogens for destruction.
Rationale: The complement system helps the immune system by tagging pathogens for destruction, making it easier for phagocytes to recognize and destroy them
Which patient is at greatest risk for infection due to a suppressed immune response?
A. A 25-year-old patient with seasonal allergies
B. A 55-year-old patient on corticosteroids for rheumatoid arthritis
C. A 40-year-old patient who received a flu vaccine
D. A 30-year-old patient with mild asthma
Answer: B. A 55-year-old patient on corticosteroids for rheumatoid arthritis
Rationale: Corticosteroids suppress the immune system, increasing the risk of infection, especially in patients with chronic diseases like rheumatoid arthritis
A nurse is teaching a patient with an autoimmune disorder. Which of the following interventions should be included in the patient’s plan of care?
A. Encourage the use of live plants to improve air quality.
B. Limit fluid intake to prevent complications.
C. Educate the patient about avoiding infection and maintaining optimal hydration.
D. Administer antibiotics prophylactically.
Answer: C. Educate the patient about avoiding infection and maintaining optimal hydration.
Rationale: Patients with autoimmune disorders should avoid infection and maintain hydration to help manage their symptoms and prevent complications
