Nokea
Treatment with two nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs) and a protease inhibitor (PI) is prescribed for a patient with HIV infection who has a CD4+ T-cell count of <400/µL. The patient asks why so many drugs are necessary for treatment. What should the nurse explain as the primary rationale for combination therapy?
- A. Cross-resistance between specific antiretroviral drugs is reduced when drugs are given in combination.
- B. Combinations of antiretroviral drugs decrease the potential for development of antiretroviral-resistant HIV variants.
- C. Side effects of the drugs are reduced when smaller doses of three different drugs are used rather than large doses of one drug.
- D. When CD4+ T-cell counts are <500/µL, a combination of drugs that have different actions is more effective in slowing HIV growth.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Combination therapy minimizes the chance of developing resistant HIV strains by targeting the virus at multiple points in its lifecycle.
You may also like to solve these questions
Which of the following statements about the 2009 H1N1 pandemic is NOT true
- A. Caused by a virus originated from 4 different strains
- B. Individuals over 60 were especially affected
- C. A level 6 pandemic phase was declared by WHO in June 2009
- D. 2009 H1N1 is considered moderately virulent in terms of severity of disease
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B. Individuals over 60 were not especially affected by the 2009 H1N1 pandemic. This is because older individuals had some level of immunity due to previous exposure to similar strains. The other choices are incorrect because: A: The 2009 H1N1 virus originated from a combination of 2 different strains, not 4. C: WHO declared a level 6 pandemic phase in June 2009. D: The 2009 H1N1 virus was considered less virulent compared to other strains.
What determines a cell's response to a specific cytokine?
- A. The amount of antigen present
- B. The type of pathogen encountered
- C. The specific cytokine receptors expressed on the cell
- D. The tissue location of the immune cell
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C because a cell's response to a specific cytokine is determined by the specific cytokine receptors expressed on the cell. Cytokine receptors are proteins on the cell surface that bind to specific cytokines, triggering intracellular signaling pathways that lead to various cellular responses. The amount of antigen present (A) is related to the initiation of the immune response but not the cell's response to cytokines. The type of pathogen encountered (B) may influence the overall immune response but not the specific response to cytokines. The tissue location of the immune cell (D) can affect the types of cytokines present in the microenvironment but does not directly determine the cell's response to a specific cytokine.
The reason for using Taq polymerase for PCR is that
- A. it has regions that are complementary to primers.
- B. only minute amounts are needed for each cycle of PCR
- C. it binds more readily than other polymerases to primer.
- D. it is heat stable and can withstand the temperature changes of the cycler.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D because Taq polymerase is heat-stable, allowing it to withstand the high temperatures used in PCR cycles without denaturing. This heat stability is crucial for the repeated heating and cooling cycles in PCR. Choice A is incorrect because Taq polymerase does not need to be complementary to primers. Choice B is incorrect because the amount needed is not the main reason for using Taq polymerase. Choice C is incorrect because binding affinity to primers is not the primary reason for using Taq polymerase.
Choose the correct sequence in an allergic reaction.
- A. Allergen → mast cells → histamine → B cells → IgE antibodies
- B. Allergen → IgE antibodies → B cells → histamine → mast cells
- C. Allergen → B cells → IgE antibodies → mast cells → histamine
- D. Allergen → histamine → mast cells → IgE antibodies → B cells
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Rationale for Answer C:
1. Allergen exposure triggers B cells to produce IgE antibodies specific to the allergen.
2. IgE antibodies bind to mast cells sensitizing them.
3. Upon re-exposure to allergen, allergen binds to IgE on mast cells.
4. This triggers release of histamine and other chemicals causing allergic symptoms.
Summary:
- Choice A: Incorrect because B cells do not produce IgE antibodies before allergen exposure.
- Choice B: Incorrect because IgE antibodies are produced by B cells, not the other way around.
- Choice D: Incorrect because histamine is released after allergen binds to IgE on sensitized mast cells.
The bacterial cytoplasmic membrane contains:
- A. ester-linked phospholipids, but no sterols
- B. ester-linked phospholipids and sterols
- C. ether-linked phospholipids, but no sterols
- D. ether-linked phospholipids, sulfolipids, and glycolipids
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A because bacterial cytoplasmic membranes typically contain ester-linked phospholipids but no sterols. Ester-linked phospholipids are the main component of bacterial cell membranes, providing structure and function. Sterols, like cholesterol, are not commonly found in bacterial membranes. Choice B is incorrect because sterols are not present in bacterial membranes. Choice C is incorrect because ether-linked phospholipids are more commonly found in archaea, not bacteria. Choice D is incorrect because sulfolipids and glycolipids are not primary components of bacterial cytoplasmic membranes.