Brunner & Suddarth's Textbook of Medical-Surgical Nursing 14e (Hinkle 2017) - Assessment and Management of Patients With Allergic Disorders Related

Review Brunner & Suddarth's Textbook of Medical-Surgical Nursing 14e (Hinkle 2017) - Assessment and Management of Patients With Allergic Disorders related questions and content

A patients decline in respiratory and renal function has been attributed to Goodpasture syndrome, which is a type II hypersensitivity reaction. What pathologic process underlies the patients health problem?

  • A. Antigens have bound to antibodies and formed inappropriate immune complexes.
  • B. The patients body has mistakenly identified a normal constituent of the body as foreign.
  • C. Sensitized T cells have caused cell and tissue damage.
  • D. Mast cells have released histamines that directly cause cell lysis.
Correct Answer: B

Rationale: Type II reactions, or cytotoxic hypersensitivity, occur when the system mistakenly identifies a normal constituent of the body as foreign. An example of this type of reaction is Goodpasture syndrome. Type III, or immune complex, hypersensitivity involves immune complexes that are formed when antigens bind to antibodies. Type IV hypersensitivity is mediated by sensitized T cells that cause cell and tissue damage. Histamine does not directly cause cell lysis.