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NUR257 – Immunology,
Musculoskeletal, Cardiovascular &
Gastrointestinal Nursing Review –
Comprehensive Exam Questions with
Detailed Answers
During a mumps outbreak at a local school, a patient, who is a school teacher,
is exposed. She has previo usly been immunized for mumps. What type of
immunity does she possess?
A) Acquired immunity
B) Natural immunity
C) Phagocytic immunity
D) Humoral immunity
ANSWER: A) Acquired immunity
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.
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
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B) Red blood cells
C) Lymphocytes
D) Neutrophils
ANSWER: D) Neutrophils
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.
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
ANSWER: C) Proteins
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.
A clinic nurse is caring for a patient admitted with AIDS. The nurse has
assessed that the patient is experiencing a progressive decline in cognitive,
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behavioral, and motor functions. The nurse recognizes that these symptoms
are most likely related to the onset of what complication?
A) HIV encephalopathy
B) B-cell lymphoma
C) Kaposis sarcoma
D) Wasting syndrome
ANSWER: A) HIV encephalopathy
HIV encephalopathy is a clinical syndrome characterized by a progressive decline
in cognitive, behavioral, and motor functions. The other listed complications do
not normally have cognitive and behavioral manifestations.
The mother of two young children has been diagnosed with HIV and
expresses fear of dying. How should the nurse best respond to the patient?
A) Would you like me to have the chaplain come speak with you?
B) Youll learn much about the promise of a cure for HIV.
C) Can you tell me what concerns you most about dying?
D) You need to maintain hope because you may live for several years.
ANSWER: C) Can you tell me what concerns you most about dying?
The nurse can help the patient verbalize feelings and identify resources for support.
The nurse should respond with an open-ended question to help the patient to
identify fears about being diagnosed with a life-threatening chronic illness.
Immediate deferral to spiritual care is not a substitute for engaging with the patient.
The nurse should attempt to foster hope, but not in a way that downplays the
patients expressed fears.
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A nurse is working with a patient who was diagnosed with HIV several
months earlier. The nurse should recognize that a patient with HIV is
considered to have AIDS at the point when the CD4+ T-lymphocyte cell count
drops below what threshold?
A) 75 cells/mm3 of blood
B) 200 cells/mm3 of blood
C) 325 cells/mm3 of blood
D) 450 cells/mm3 of blood
ANSWER: B) 200 cells/mm3 of blood
When CD4+ T-cell levels drop below 200 cells/mm3 of blood, the person is said to
have AIDS
A patient with a family history of allergies has suffered an allergic response
based on a genetic predisposition. This atopic response is usually mediated by
what immunoglobulin?
A) Immunoglobulin A
B) Immunoglobulin M
C) Immunoglobulin G
D) Immunoglobulin E
ANSWER: D) Immunoglobulin E
Atopy refers to allergic reactions characterized by the action of IgE antibodies and
a genetic predisposition to allergic reactions.
A patient has developed severe contact dermatitis with burning, itching,
cracking, and peeling of the skin on her hands. What should the nurse teach
the patient to do?
NUR257 – Immunology,
Musculoskeletal, Cardiovascular &
Gastrointestinal Nursing Review –
Comprehensive Exam Questions with
Detailed Answers
During a mumps outbreak at a local school, a patient, who is a school teacher,
is exposed. She has previo usly been immunized for mumps. What type of
immunity does she possess?
A) Acquired immunity
B) Natural immunity
C) Phagocytic immunity
D) Humoral immunity
ANSWER: A) Acquired immunity
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.
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
,2|Page
B) Red blood cells
C) Lymphocytes
D) Neutrophils
ANSWER: D) Neutrophils
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.
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
ANSWER: C) Proteins
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.
A clinic nurse is caring for a patient admitted with AIDS. The nurse has
assessed that the patient is experiencing a progressive decline in cognitive,
,3|Page
behavioral, and motor functions. The nurse recognizes that these symptoms
are most likely related to the onset of what complication?
A) HIV encephalopathy
B) B-cell lymphoma
C) Kaposis sarcoma
D) Wasting syndrome
ANSWER: A) HIV encephalopathy
HIV encephalopathy is a clinical syndrome characterized by a progressive decline
in cognitive, behavioral, and motor functions. The other listed complications do
not normally have cognitive and behavioral manifestations.
The mother of two young children has been diagnosed with HIV and
expresses fear of dying. How should the nurse best respond to the patient?
A) Would you like me to have the chaplain come speak with you?
B) Youll learn much about the promise of a cure for HIV.
C) Can you tell me what concerns you most about dying?
D) You need to maintain hope because you may live for several years.
ANSWER: C) Can you tell me what concerns you most about dying?
The nurse can help the patient verbalize feelings and identify resources for support.
The nurse should respond with an open-ended question to help the patient to
identify fears about being diagnosed with a life-threatening chronic illness.
Immediate deferral to spiritual care is not a substitute for engaging with the patient.
The nurse should attempt to foster hope, but not in a way that downplays the
patients expressed fears.
, 4|Page
A nurse is working with a patient who was diagnosed with HIV several
months earlier. The nurse should recognize that a patient with HIV is
considered to have AIDS at the point when the CD4+ T-lymphocyte cell count
drops below what threshold?
A) 75 cells/mm3 of blood
B) 200 cells/mm3 of blood
C) 325 cells/mm3 of blood
D) 450 cells/mm3 of blood
ANSWER: B) 200 cells/mm3 of blood
When CD4+ T-cell levels drop below 200 cells/mm3 of blood, the person is said to
have AIDS
A patient with a family history of allergies has suffered an allergic response
based on a genetic predisposition. This atopic response is usually mediated by
what immunoglobulin?
A) Immunoglobulin A
B) Immunoglobulin M
C) Immunoglobulin G
D) Immunoglobulin E
ANSWER: D) Immunoglobulin E
Atopy refers to allergic reactions characterized by the action of IgE antibodies and
a genetic predisposition to allergic reactions.
A patient has developed severe contact dermatitis with burning, itching,
cracking, and peeling of the skin on her hands. What should the nurse teach
the patient to do?
