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
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: 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.
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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. Lymphocytes are stimulated to become cells that attack microbes directly.
- D. Antibodies are made by B lymphocytes in response to a specific antigen.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: 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.
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
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: 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.
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
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: 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.
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
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: 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.
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
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: 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.
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