Nursing 354 Immunosuppression
Nursing Practice Exam Questions And
Correct Answers (Verified Answers) Plus
Rationales 2026 Q&A Instant Download
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1. A patient receiving immunosuppressive therapy is at greatest risk for which
complication?
A. Hypertension
B. Infection
C. Hyperthyroidism
D. Osteoarthritis
**Answer: ** Infection
Rationale: Immunosuppressive medications decrease immune-system activity,
reducing the body's ability to recognize and fight pathogens.
2. Which assessment finding in an immunosuppressed patient requires the most
immediate follow-up?
A. Mild fatigue
B. Temperature of 38.3°C (100.9°F)
,C. Decreased appetite
D. Occasional headache
**Answer: ** Temperature of 38.3°C (100.9°F)
Rationale: Fever may indicate a serious infection in an immunosuppressed
patient and requires prompt evaluation.
3. Which medication is commonly used as an immunosuppressant?
A. Tacrolimus
B. Acetaminophen
C. Furosemide
D. Pantoprazole
**Answer: ** Tacrolimus
Rationale: Tacrolimus suppresses T-cell activation and is commonly used
following organ transplantation and for selected immune-mediated conditions.
4. Which instruction is most important for a patient taking long-term
corticosteroids?
A. Stop the medication when symptoms improve.
B. Double the dose if one dose is missed.
C. Do not discontinue the medication abruptly.
D. Avoid all physical activity.
**Answer: ** Do not discontinue the medication abruptly.
Rationale: Abrupt withdrawal after prolonged corticosteroid therapy can cause
adrenal insufficiency because endogenous cortisol production may be
suppressed.
,5. Which laboratory value is especially important when monitoring a patient
receiving myelosuppressive immunosuppressive therapy?
A. White blood cell count
B. Serum amylase
C. Troponin
D. Hemoglobin A1c
**Answer: ** White blood cell count
Rationale: Immunosuppressive medications may cause leukopenia, increasing
infection risk.
6. Which action best reduces infection risk for an immunosuppressed patient?
A. Limiting hand hygiene to before meals
B. Encouraging frequent hand hygiene
C. Sharing personal items with family
D. Keeping fresh flowers at the bedside
**Answer: ** Encouraging frequent hand hygiene
Rationale: Hand hygiene is one of the most effective measures for preventing
transmission of infectious organisms.
7. A patient taking tacrolimus should be monitored closely for which adverse
effect?
A. Nephrotoxicity
B. Severe hypoglycemia
C. Hearing loss
D. Cataracts within hours
**Answer: ** Nephrotoxicity
, Rationale: Tacrolimus can impair renal function, so serum creatinine and other
indicators of kidney function require monitoring.
8. Which food-safety instruction is appropriate for an immunosuppressed patient?
A. Eat raw eggs regularly.
B. Drink unpasteurized milk.
C. Thoroughly cook meats and eggs.
D. Eat raw seafood whenever possible.
**Answer: ** Thoroughly cook meats and eggs.
Rationale: Proper food preparation reduces exposure to foodborne pathogens
that can cause serious illness in immunocompromised patients.
9. Which type of vaccine generally requires special consideration in patients
receiving significant immunosuppression?
A. Live attenuated vaccine
B. Inactivated vaccine
C. Recombinant vaccine
D. Toxoid vaccine
**Answer: ** Live attenuated vaccine
Rationale: Live vaccines can potentially cause infection in significantly
immunosuppressed individuals and should be administered only according to
appropriate clinical guidance.
10. Which symptom may indicate opportunistic infection in an immunosuppressed
patient?
A. Persistent oral white patches
B. Increased appetite
Nursing Practice Exam Questions And
Correct Answers (Verified Answers) Plus
Rationales 2026 Q&A Instant Download
1. A patient receiving immunosuppressive therapy is at greatest risk for which
complication?
A. Hypertension
B. Infection
C. Hyperthyroidism
D. Osteoarthritis
**Answer: ** Infection
Rationale: Immunosuppressive medications decrease immune-system activity,
reducing the body's ability to recognize and fight pathogens.
2. Which assessment finding in an immunosuppressed patient requires the most
immediate follow-up?
A. Mild fatigue
B. Temperature of 38.3°C (100.9°F)
,C. Decreased appetite
D. Occasional headache
**Answer: ** Temperature of 38.3°C (100.9°F)
Rationale: Fever may indicate a serious infection in an immunosuppressed
patient and requires prompt evaluation.
3. Which medication is commonly used as an immunosuppressant?
A. Tacrolimus
B. Acetaminophen
C. Furosemide
D. Pantoprazole
**Answer: ** Tacrolimus
Rationale: Tacrolimus suppresses T-cell activation and is commonly used
following organ transplantation and for selected immune-mediated conditions.
4. Which instruction is most important for a patient taking long-term
corticosteroids?
A. Stop the medication when symptoms improve.
B. Double the dose if one dose is missed.
C. Do not discontinue the medication abruptly.
D. Avoid all physical activity.
**Answer: ** Do not discontinue the medication abruptly.
Rationale: Abrupt withdrawal after prolonged corticosteroid therapy can cause
adrenal insufficiency because endogenous cortisol production may be
suppressed.
,5. Which laboratory value is especially important when monitoring a patient
receiving myelosuppressive immunosuppressive therapy?
A. White blood cell count
B. Serum amylase
C. Troponin
D. Hemoglobin A1c
**Answer: ** White blood cell count
Rationale: Immunosuppressive medications may cause leukopenia, increasing
infection risk.
6. Which action best reduces infection risk for an immunosuppressed patient?
A. Limiting hand hygiene to before meals
B. Encouraging frequent hand hygiene
C. Sharing personal items with family
D. Keeping fresh flowers at the bedside
**Answer: ** Encouraging frequent hand hygiene
Rationale: Hand hygiene is one of the most effective measures for preventing
transmission of infectious organisms.
7. A patient taking tacrolimus should be monitored closely for which adverse
effect?
A. Nephrotoxicity
B. Severe hypoglycemia
C. Hearing loss
D. Cataracts within hours
**Answer: ** Nephrotoxicity
, Rationale: Tacrolimus can impair renal function, so serum creatinine and other
indicators of kidney function require monitoring.
8. Which food-safety instruction is appropriate for an immunosuppressed patient?
A. Eat raw eggs regularly.
B. Drink unpasteurized milk.
C. Thoroughly cook meats and eggs.
D. Eat raw seafood whenever possible.
**Answer: ** Thoroughly cook meats and eggs.
Rationale: Proper food preparation reduces exposure to foodborne pathogens
that can cause serious illness in immunocompromised patients.
9. Which type of vaccine generally requires special consideration in patients
receiving significant immunosuppression?
A. Live attenuated vaccine
B. Inactivated vaccine
C. Recombinant vaccine
D. Toxoid vaccine
**Answer: ** Live attenuated vaccine
Rationale: Live vaccines can potentially cause infection in significantly
immunosuppressed individuals and should be administered only according to
appropriate clinical guidance.
10. Which symptom may indicate opportunistic infection in an immunosuppressed
patient?
A. Persistent oral white patches
B. Increased appetite
