The nurse provides care to older adults. What should the nurse recognize as being more likely to occur in an older adult than in a younger adult?
- A. High fevers
- B. Fewer infections
- C. More autoimmune disorders
- D. Greater antibody production
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: More autoimmune disorders. As individuals age, the immune system weakens, leading to an increased risk of autoimmune disorders where the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy cells. This is more likely in older adults compared to younger adults. High fevers (choice A) are not more likely in older adults, as fever response tends to decrease with age. Fewer infections (choice B) are also less likely in older adults due to a weakened immune response. Greater antibody production (choice D) is not a characteristic of aging, as antibody production may decline with age.
You may also like to solve these questions
Which of the following statements best characterizes an antibody?
- A. An antibody contains high molecular weight RNA as its basic structure.
- B. An antibody is composed of protein and cannot be distinguished from the albumin fraction of the serum proteins.
- C. An antibody is composed of four identical protein subunits which may be caused to dissociate by treatment with urea.
- D. An antibody contains protein as its major chemical component and its synthesis may be elicited by the administration of a foreign protein or polysaccharide.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Rationale for Correct Answer D:
1. Antibodies are composed mainly of proteins, specifically immunoglobulins.
2. Antibodies are synthesized in response to foreign proteins or polysaccharides, known as antigens.
3. This process involves B cells recognizing antigens and producing antibodies.
4. The statement accurately reflects the nature of antibody structure and synthesis.
Summary of Incorrect Choices:
A: Antibodies do not contain RNA as their basic structure; they are primarily composed of proteins.
B: Antibodies can be distinguished from albumin fraction as they have specific functions in the immune system.
C: Antibodies consist of two heavy and two light chains, not four identical protein subunits, and are not typically dissociated by urea.
Which of the following statements concerned with multiple sclerosis (MS) is correct?
- A. Genetic factors seem to play a role in predisposition to develop MS
- B. Predisposition to develop MS does not seem to have an environmental component
- C. MS is more common in Central and South America than in North America
- D. The disease seems to be mediated primarily by autoantibodies
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Rationale: Option A is correct because genetic factors have been identified as playing a role in predisposition to develop MS. Studies have shown a higher risk among individuals with family history. Option B is incorrect because environmental factors, such as vitamin D levels and viral infections, are known to influence MS development. Option C is incorrect as MS is more prevalent in North America and Europe. Option D is incorrect because MS is primarily mediated by T-cell responses, not autoantibodies.
What is Louis Pasteur's main contribution to immunology?
- A. Development of the smallpox vaccine
- B. Discovery of phagocytosis
- C. Germ theory of disease and vaccine development
- D. Theory of innate immunity
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Louis Pasteur's main contribution to immunology is the germ theory of disease and vaccine development. Firstly, Pasteur's germ theory revolutionized our understanding of infectious diseases by demonstrating that microorganisms are the cause. Secondly, he developed the concept of vaccination by creating vaccines for diseases such as rabies and anthrax, laying the foundation for modern immunology. The other choices are incorrect because:
A: Pasteur worked on the rabies vaccine, not the smallpox vaccine.
B: Phagocytosis was discovered by Metchnikoff, not Pasteur.
D: Pasteur did not propose the theory of innate immunity.
Which symptom is NOT typically associated with anaphylaxis?
- A. Sudden drop in blood pressure
- B. Massive edema
- C. Severe bronchoconstriction
- D. T cell apoptosis
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D: T cell apoptosis. Anaphylaxis is a severe allergic reaction that involves a rapid immune response. T cell apoptosis is not a typical symptom of anaphylaxis.
Rationale:
1. A: Sudden drop in blood pressure is associated with anaphylaxis due to systemic vasodilation.
2. B: Massive edema is common in anaphylaxis due to increased vascular permeability.
3. C: Severe bronchoconstriction is a hallmark of anaphylaxis, leading to respiratory distress.
4. D: T cell apoptosis is not a characteristic feature of anaphylaxis. T cells play a role in adaptive immunity, not the immediate hypersensitivity reaction seen in anaphylaxis.
Summary:
T cell apoptosis is not typically associated with anaphylaxis, unlike the other symptoms listed which are common manifestations of this severe allergic reaction.
A patient with a pH of 7.29 has metabolic acidosis. Which value is useful in determining whether the cause of the acidosis is an acid gain or a bicarbonate loss?
- A. PaCO2
- B. Anion gap
- C. Serum Na+ level
- D. Bicarbonate level
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Bicarbonate levels help differentiate between acid gain (low bicarbonate) and bicarbonate loss (normal or high anion gap).