1.
A woman has been diagnosed with breast cancer and is being treated aggressively with a
chemotherapeutic regimen. As a result of this regimen, she has an inability to fight infection due to the
fact that her bone marrow is unable to produce a sufficient amount of what?
A)
Lymphocytes
B)
Cytoblasts
C)
Antibodies
D)
Capillaries
Ans:
A
Feedback:
The white blood cells involved in immunity (including lymphocytes) are produced in the bone marrow.
Cytoblasts are the protoplasm of the cell outside the nucleus. Antibodies are produced by lymphocytes,
but not in the bone marrow. Capillaries are small blood vessels
2.
During a mumps outbreak at a local school, a patient, who is a school teacher, is exposed. She has
previously been immunized for mumps. What type of immunity does she possess?
A)
Acquired immunity
B)
Natural immunity
C)
Phagocytic immunity
D)
Humoral immunity
Ans:
A
Feedback:
Acquired immunity usually develops as a result of prior exposure to an antigen, often through
immunization. When the body is attacked by bacteria, viruses, or other pathogens, it has three means of
defense. The first line of defense, the phagocytic immune response, involves the WBCs that have the
ability to ingest foreign particles. A second protective response is the humoral immune response, which
begins when the B lymphocytes transform themselves into plasma cells that manufacture antibodies.
The natural immune response system is rapid, nonspecific immunity present at birth.
3.
A gardener sustained a deep laceration while working and requires sutures. The patient is asked about
the date of her last tetanus shot, which is over 10 years ago. Based on this information, the patient will
receive a tetanus immunization. The tetanus injection will allow for the release of what?
A)
Antibodies
B)
Antigens
C)
Cytokines
D)
Phagocytes
Ans:
A
Feedback:
Immunizations activate the humoral immune response, culminating in antibody production. Antigens
are the substances that induce the production of antibodies. Immunizations do not prompt cytokine or
phagocyte production.
4.
An infection control nurse is presenting an inservice reviewing the immune response. The nurse
describes the clumping effect that occurs when an antibody acts like a cross-link between two antigens.
What process is the nurse explaining?
A)
Agglutination
B)
Cellular immune response
C)
Humoral response
D)
Phagocytic immune response
Ans:
A
Feedback:
Agglutination refers to the clumping effect occurring when an antibody acts as a cross-link between two
antigens. This takes place within the context of the humoral immune response, but is not synonymous
with it. Cellular immune response, the immune systems third line of defense, involves the attack of
pathogens by T-cells. The phagocytic immune response, or immune response, is the systems first line of
defense, involving white blood cells that have the ability to ingest foreign particles.
5.
A nurse has administered a childs scheduled vaccination for rubella. This vaccination will cause the child
to develop which of the following?
A)
Natural immunity
B)
Active acquired immunity
C)
Cellular immunity
D)
Mild hypersensitivity
Ans:
B
Feedback:
Active acquired immunity usually develops as a result of vaccination or contracting a disease. Natural
immunity is present at birth and provides a nonspecific response to any foreign invader. Immunizations
do not activate the process of cellular immunity. Hypersensitivity is not an expected outcome of
immunization.
6.
A patient with a history of dermatitis takes corticosteroids on a regular basis. The nurse should assess
the patient for which of the following complications of therapy?
A)
Immunosuppression
B)
Agranulocytosis
C)
Anemia
D)
Thrombocytopenia
Ans:
A
Feedback:
Corticosteroids such as prednisone can cause immunosuppression. Corticosteroids do not typically cause
agranulocytosis, anemia, or low platelet counts.
7.
A nurse is planning the assessment of a patient who is exhibiting signs and symptoms of an autoimmune
disorder. The nurse should be aware that the incidence and prevalence of autoimmune diseases is
known to be higher among what group?
A)
Young adults
B)
Native Americans
C)
Women
D)
Hispanics
Ans:
C
Feedback:
Many autoimmune diseases have a higher incidence in females than in males, a phenomenon believed
to be correlated with sex hormones.
8.
A 16-year-old has been brought to the emergency department by his parents after falling through the
glass of a patio door, suffering a laceration. The nurse caring for this patient knows that the site of the
injury will have an invasion of what?
A)
Interferons
B)
Phagocytic cells
C)
Apoptosis
D)
Cytokines
Ans:
B
Feedback:
Monocytes migrate to injury sites and function as phagocytic cells, engulfing, ingesting, and destroying
greater numbers and quantities of foreign bodies or toxins than granulocytes. This occurs in response to
the foreign bodies that have invaded the laceration from the dirt on the broken glass. Interferon, one
type of biologic response modifier, is a nonspecific viricidal protein that is naturally produced by the
body and is capable of activating other components of the immune system. Apoptosis, or programmed
cell death, is the bodys way of destroying worn out cells such as blood or skin cells or cells that need to
be renewed. Cytokines are the various proteins that mediate the immune response. These do not
migrate to injury sites.
9.
A man was scratched by an old tool and developed a virulent staphylococcus infection. In the course of
the mans immune response, circulating lymphocytes containing the antigenic message returned to the
nearest lymph node. During what stage of the immune response did this occur?
A)
Recognition stage
B)
Proliferation stage
C)
Response stage
D)
Effector stage
Ans:
B
Feedback:
The recognition stage of antigens as foreign by the immune system is the initiating event in any immune
response. The body must first recognize invaders as foreign before it can react to them. In the
proliferation stage, the circulating lymphocyte containing the antigenic message returns to the nearest
lymph node. Once in the node, the sensitized lymphocyte stimulates some of the resident dormant T
and B lymphocytes to enlarge, divide, and proliferate. In the response stage, the differentiated
lymphocytes function either in a humoral or a cellular capacity. In the effector stage, either the antibody
of the humoral response or the cytotoxic (killer) T cell of the cellular response reaches and connects
with the antigen on the surface of the foreign invader.
10.
A patient with cystic fibrosis has received a double lung transplant and is now experiencing signs of
rejection. What is the immune response that predominates in this situation?
A)
Humoral
B)
Nonspecific
C)
Cellular
D)
Mitigated
Ans:
C
Feedback:
Most immune responses to antigens involve both humoral and cellular responses, although only one
predominates. During transplantation rejection, the cellular response predominates over the humoral
response. Neither a mitigated nor nonspecific cell response is noted in this situation.
11.
A patient is being treated for bacterial pneumonia. In the first stages of illness, the patients dyspnea was
accompanied by a high fever. Currently, the patient claims to be feeling better and is afebrile. The
patient is most likely in which stage of the immune response?
A)
Recognition stage
B)
Proliferation stage
C)
Response stage
D)
Effector stage
Ans:
D
Feedback:
The immune response culminates with the effector stage, during which offending microorganisms are
killed by the various actions of the immune system. The patients improvement in health status is likely
the result of this final stage in the immune response.
12.
The nurse is providing care for a patient who has multiple sclerosis. The nurse recognizes the
autoimmune etiology of this disease and the potential benefits of what treatment?
A)
Stem cell transplantation
B)
Serial immunizations
C)
Immunosuppression
D)
Genetic engineering
Ans:
A
Feedback:
Clinical trials using stem cells are under way in patients with a variety of disorders having an
autoimmune component, including multiple sclerosis. Immunizations and genetic engineering are not
used to treat multiple sclerosis. Immunosuppression would exacerbate symptoms of MS.
13.
A patients injury has initiated an immune response that involves inflammation. What are the first cells
to arrive at a site of inflammation?
A)
Eosinophils
B)
Red blood cells
C)
Lymphocytes
D)
Neutrophils
Ans:
D
Feedback:
Neutrophils are the first cells to arrive at the site where inflammation occurs. Eosinophils increase in
number during allergic reactions and stress responses, but are not always present during inflammation.
RBCs do not migrate during an immune response. Lymphocytes become active but do not migrate to the
site of inflammation.
14.
A nurse is planning a patients care and is relating it to normal immune response. During what stage of
the immune response should the nurse know that antibodies or cytotoxic T cells combine and destroy
the invading microbes?
A)
Recognition stage
B)
Proliferation stage
C)
Response stage
D)
Effector stage
Ans:
D
Feedback:
In the effector stage, either the antibody of the humoral response or the cytotoxic (killer) T cell of the
cellular response reaches and couples with the antigen on the surface of the foreign invader. The
coupling initiates a series of events that in most instances results in total destruction of the invading
microbes or the complete neutralization of the toxin. This does not take place during the three
preceding stages.
15.
The nurse should recognize a patients risk for impaired immune function if the patient has undergone
surgical removal of which of the following?
A)
Thyroid gland
B)
Spleen
C)
Kidney
D)
Pancreas
Ans:
B
Feedback:
A history of surgical removal of the spleen, lymph nodes, or thymus may place the patient at risk for
impaired immune function. Removal of the thyroid, kidney, or pancreas would not directly lead to
impairment of the immune system.
16.
A nurse is admitting a patient who exhibits signs and symptoms of a nutritional deficit. Inadequate
intake of what nutrient increases a patients susceptibility to infection?
A)
Vitamin B12
B)
Unsaturated fats
C)
Proteins
D)
Complex carbohydrates
Ans:
C
Feedback:
Depletion of protein reserves results in atrophy of lymphoid tissues, depression of antibody response,
reduction in the number of circulating T cells, and impaired phagocytic function. As a result, the patient
has an increased susceptibility to infection. Low intake of fat and vitamin B12affects health, but is not
noted to directly create a risk for infection. Low intake of complex carbohydrates is not noted to
constitute a direct risk factor for infection.
17.
A nurse has admitted a patient who has been diagnosed with urosepsis. What immune response
predominates in sepsis?
A)
Mitigated
B)
Nonspecific
C)
Cellular
D)
Humoral
Ans:
D
Feedback:
Most immune responses to antigens involve both humoral and cellular responses, although only one
predominates. For example, during transplantation rejection, the cellular response predominates,
whereas in the bacterial pneumonias and sepsis, the humoral response plays the dominant role. Neither
mitigated nor nonspecific cell response is noted in this situation.
18.
A patient is admitted with cellulitis and experiences a consequent increase in white blood cell count. The
nurse is aware that during the immune response, pathogens are engulfed by white blood cells that
ingest foreign particles. What is this process known as?
A)
Apoptosis
B)
Phagocytosis
C)
Antibody response
D)
Cellular immune response
Ans:
B
Feedback:
During the first mechanism of defense, white blood cells, which have the ability to ingest foreign
particles, move to the point of attack, where they engulf and destroy the invading agents. This is known
as phagocytosis. The action described is not apoptosis (programmed cell death) or an antibody
response. Phagocytosis occurs in the context of the cellular immune response, but it does not constitute
the entire cellular response.
19.
A nurse is reviewing a patients medication administration record in an effort to identify drugs that may
contribute to the patients recent immunosuppression. What drug is most likely to have this effect?
A)
An antibiotic
B)
A nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID)
C)
An antineoplastic
D)
An antiretroviral
Ans:
C
Feedback:
Chemotherapy affects bone marrow function, destroying cells that contribute to an effective immune
response and resulting in immunosuppression. Antibiotics in large doses cause bone marrow
suppression, but antineoplastic drugs have the most pronounced immunosuppressive effect. NSAIDs
and antiretrovirals do not normally have this effect.
20.
A patient requires ongoing treatment and infection-control precautions because of an inherited deficit
in immune function. The nurse should recognize that this patient most likely has what type of immune
disorder?
A)
A primary immune deficiency
B)
A gammopathy
C)
An autoimmune disorder
D)
A rheumatic disorder
Ans:
C
Feedback:
Primary immune deficiency results from improper development of immune cells or tissues. These
disorders are usually congenital or inherited. Autoimmune disorders are less likely to have a genetic
component, though some have a genetic component. Overproduction of immunoglobulins is the
hallmark of gammopathies. Rheumatic disorders do not normally involve impaired immune function.
21.
A neonate exhibited some preliminary signs of infection, but the infants condition resolved
spontaneously prior to discharge home from the hospital. This infants recovery was most likely due to
what type of immunity?
A)
Cytokine immunity
B)
Specific immunity
C)
Active acquired immunity
D)
Nonspecific immunity
Ans:
D
Feedback:
Natural immunity, or nonspecific immunity, is present at birth. Active acquired or specific immunity
develops after birth. Cytokines are proteins that mediate the immune response; they are not a type of
immunity.
22.
A gerontologic nurse is caring for an older adult patient who has a diagnosis of pneumonia. What agerelated change increases older adults susceptibility to respiratory infections?
A)
Atrophy of the thymus
B)
Bronchial stenosis
C)
Impaired ciliary action
D)
Decreased diaphragmatic muscle tone
Ans:
C
Feedback:
As a consequence of impaired ciliary action due to exposure to smoke and environmental toxins, older
adults are vulnerable to lung infections. This vulnerability is not the result of thymus atrophy, stenosis of
the bronchi, or loss of diaphragmatic muscle tone.
23.
A nurse is explaining the process by which the body removes cells from circulation after they have
performed their physiologic function. The nurse is describing what process?
A)
The cellular immune response
B)
Apoptosis
C)
Phagocytosis
D)
Opsonization
Ans:
B
Feedback:
Apoptosis, or programmed cell death, is the bodys way of destroying worn out cells such as blood or skin
cells or cells that need to be renewed. Opsonization is the coating of antigenantibody molecules with a
sticky substance to facilitate phagocytosis. The body does not use phagocytosis or the cellular immune
response to remove cells from circulation.
24.
A patient is responding to a microbial invasion and the patients differentiated lymphocytes have begun
to function in either a humoral or a cellular capacity. During what stage of the immune response does
this occur?
A)
The recognition stage
B)
The effector stage
C)
The response stage
D)
The proliferation stage
Ans:
C
Feedback:
In the response stage, the differentiated lymphocytes function in either a humoral or a cellular capacity.
In the effector stage, either the antibody of the humoral response or the cytotoxic (killer) T cell of the
cellular response reaches and connects with the antigen on the surface of the foreign invader. In the
recognition stage, the recognition of antigens as foreign, or non-self, by the immune system is the
initiating event in any immune response. During the proliferation stage the circulating lymphocytes
containing the antigenic message return to the nearest lymph node.
25.
A nurse is reviewing the immune system before planning an immunocompromised patients care. How
should the nurse characterize the humoral immune response?
A)
Specialized cells recognize and ingest cells that are recognized as foreign.
B)
T lymphocytes are assisted by cytokines to fight infection.
C)
Lymphocytesare stimulated to become cells that attack microbes directly.
D)
Antibodies are made by B lymphocytes in response to a specific antigen.
Ans:
D
Feedback:
The humoral response is characterized by the production of antibodies by B lymphocytes in response to
a specific antigen. Phagocytosis and direct attack on microbes occur in the context of the cellular
immune response.
26.
A patient is undergoing testing to determine the overall function of her immune system. What test can
be performed to evaluate the functioning of the patients cellular immune system?
A)
Immunoglobulin testing
B)
Delayed hypersensitivity skin test
C)
Specific antibody response
D)
Total serum globulin assessment
Ans:
B
Feedback:
Cellular (cell-mediated) immunity tests include the delayed hypersensitivity skin test, since this immune
response is specifically dependent on the cellular immune response. Each of the other listed tests
assesses functioning of the humoral immune system.
27.
Diagnostic testing has revealed a deficiency in the function of a patients complement system. This
patient is likely to have an impaired ability to do which of the following?
A)
Protecting the body against viral infection
B)
Marking the parameters of the immune response
C)
Bridging natural and acquired immunity
D)
Collecting immune complexes during inflammation
Ans:
C
Feedback:
Complement has three major physiologic functions: defending the body against bacterial infection,
bridging natural and acquired immunity, and disposing of immune complexes and the byproducts
associated with inflammation. Complement does not mark the parameters of the immune response;
complement does not collect immune complexes during inflammation.
28.
A patients current immune response involves the direct destruction of foreign microorganisms. This
aspect of the immune response may be performed by what cells?
A)
Suppressor T cells
B)
Memory T cells
C)
Cytotoxic T cells
D)
Complement T cells
Ans:
C
Feedback:
Cytotoxic T cells (also called CD8 + cells) participate in the destruction of foreign organisms. Memory T
cells and suppressor T cells do not perform this role in the immune response. The complement system
does not exist as a type of T cell.
29.
A nurse is explaining how the humoral and cellular immune responses should be seen as interacting
parts of the broader immune system rather than as independent and unrelated processes. What aspect
of immune function best demonstrates this?
A)
The movement of B cells in and out of lymph nodes
B)
The interactions that occur between T cells and B cells
C)
The differentiation between different types of T cells
D)
The universal role of the complement system
Ans:
B
Feedback:
T cells interact closely with B cells, indicating that humoral and cellular immune responses are not
separate, unrelated processes, but rather branches of the immune response that interact. Movement of
B cells does not clearly show the presence of a unified immune system. The differentiation between
types of T cells and the role of the complement system do not directly suggest a single immune system.
30.
A nurse is caring for a patient who has had a severe antigen/antibody reaction. The nurse knows that
the portion of the antigen that is involved in binding with the antibody is called what?
A)
Antibody lock
B)
Antigenic sequence
C)
Antigenic determinant
D)
Antibody channel
Ans:
C
Feedback:
The portion of the antigen involved in binding with the antibody is referred to as the antigenic
determinant. This portion is not known as an antibody lock, antigenic sequence, or antibody channel.
31.
A patient is being treated for cancer and the nurse has identified the nursing diagnosis of Risk for
Infection Due to Protein Losses. Protein losses inhibit immune response in which of the following ways?
A)
Causing apoptosis of cytokines
B)
Increasing interferon production
C)
Causing CD4+ cells to mutate
D)
Depressing antibody response
Ans:
D
Feedback:
Depletion of protein reserves results in atrophy of lymphoid tissues, depression of antibody response,
reduction in the number of circulating T cells, and impaired phagocytic function. This specific nutritional
deficit does not cause T-cell mutation, an increase in the production of interferons, or apoptosis of
cytokines.
32.
A patient is vigilant in her efforts to take good care of herself but is frustrated by her recent history of
upper respiratory infections and influenza. What aspect of the patients lifestyle may have a negative
effect on immune response?
A)
The patient works out at the gym twice daily.
B)
The patient does not eat red meats.
C)
The patient takes over-the-counter dietary supplements.
D)
The patient sleeps approximately 6 hours each night.
Ans:
A
Feedback:
Rigorous exercise or competitive exerciseusually considered a positive lifestyle factorcan be a
physiologic stressor and cause negative effects on immune response. The patients habits around diet
and sleep do not present obvious threats to immune function.
33.
The nurse is assessing a clients risk for impaired immune function. What assessment finding should the
nurse identify as a risk factor for decreased immunity?
A)
The patient takes a beta blocker for the treatment of hypertension.
B)
The patient is under significant psychosocial stress.
C)
The patient had a pulmonary embolism 18 months ago.
D)
The patient has a family history of breast cancer.
Ans:
B
Feedback:
Stress is a psychoneuroimmunologic factor that is known to depress the immune response. Use of beta
blockers, a family history of cancer, and a prior PE are significant assessment findings, but none
represents an immediate threat to immune function.
34.
The nurse is completing a focused assessment addressing a patients immune function. What should the
nurse prioritize in the physical assessment?
A)
Percussion of the patients abdomen
B)
Palpation of the patients liver
C)
Auscultation of the patients apical heart rate
D)
Palpation of the patients lymph nodes
Ans:
D
Feedback:
During the assessment of immune function, the anterior and posterior cervical, supraclavicular, axillary,
and inguinal lymph nodes are palpated for enlargement. If palpable nodes are detected, their location,
size, consistency, and reports of tenderness on palpation are noted. Because of the central role of lymph
nodes in the immune system, they are prioritized over the heart, liver, and abdomen, even though these
would be assessed.
35.
A patients exposure to which of the following microorganisms is most likely to trigger a cellular
response?
A)
Herpes simplex
B)
Staphylococcus aureus
C)
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
D)
Beta hemolytic Streptococcus
Ans:
A
Feedback:
Viral, rather than bacterial antigens, induce a cellular response.
36.
A patient was recently exposed to infectious microorganisms and many T lymphocytes are now
differentiating into killer T cells. This process characterizes what stage of the immune response?
A)
Effector
B)
Proliferation
C)
Response
D)
Recognition
Ans:
B
Feedback:
In the proliferation stage, T lymphocytes differentiate into cytotoxic (or killer) T cells, whereas B
lymphocytes produce and release antibodies. This does not occur in the response, recognition, or
effector stages.
37.
The nurse knows that the response of natural immunity is enhanced by processes that are inherent in
the physical and chemical barriers of the body. What is a chemical barrier that enhances the response of
natural immunity?
A)
Cell cytoplasm
B)
Interstitial fluid
C)
Gastric secretions
D)
Cerebrospinal fluid
Ans:
C
Feedback:
Chemical barriers, such as mucus, acidic gastric secretions, enzymes in tears and saliva, and substances
in sebaceous and sweat secretions, act in a nonspecific way to destroy invading bacteria and fungi. Not
all body fluids are chemical barriers, however. Cell cytoplasm, interstitial fluid, and CSF are not normally
categorized as chemical barriers to infection.
38.
A nursing student is giving a report on the immune system. What function of cytokines should the
student describe?
A)
Determining whether a cell is foreign
B)
Determining if lymphokines will be activated
C)
Determining whether the T cells will remain in the nodes and retain a memory of the antigen
D)
Determining whether the immune response will be the production of antibodies or a cell-mediated
response
Ans:
D
Feedback:
Separate subpopulations of helper T cells produce different types of cytokines and determine whether
the immune response will be the production of antibodies or a cell-mediated immune response.
Cytokines do not determine whether cells are foreign, determine if lymphokines will be activated, or
determine the role of memory T cells.
39.
A patient has undergone treatment for septic shock and received high doses of numerous antibiotics
during the course of treatment. When planning the patients subsequent care, the nurse should be
aware of what potential effect on the patients immune function?
A)
Bone marrow suppression
B)
Uncontrolled apoptosis
C)
Thymus atrophy
D)
Lymphoma
Ans:
A
Feedback:
Large doses of antibiotics can precipitate bone marrow suppression, affecting immune function.
Antibiotics are not noted to cause apoptosis, thymus atrophy, or lymphoma.
40.
A patients recent diagnostic testing included a total lymphocyte count. The results of this test will allow
the care team to gauge what aspect of the patients immunity?
A)
Humoral immune function
B)
Antigen recognition
C)
Cell-mediated immune function
D)
Antibody production
Ans:
C
Feedback:
A total lymphocyte count is a test used to determine cellular immune function. It is not normally used
for testing humoral immune function and the associated antigenantibody.