Nu 545 Pysio-Patho Unit 1 Test Bank
Questions and Correct Answers Review
on Inflammatory and Immune Responses
(University of South Alabama)/ NU 545
Unit 1 Test Prep
NU 545 Physio-Patho Unit 1 Test Bank: Inflammatory
Response
Multiple Choice Questions
1. A patient presents with localized redness, heat, swelling, and pain at a wound
site. The nurse understands that these classic signs of inflammation are primarily
caused by:
• A) Vasodilation and increased capillary permeability
• B) Activation of the complement cascade
• C) Release of histamine from mast cells only
• D) Neutrophil chemotaxis to the area
Rationale: The cardinal signs of inflammation (rubor, calor, tumor, dolor) result from
vasodilation (causing redness and heat) and increased capillary permeability (causing
swelling and pain from tissue pressure and chemical mediators). While histamine
release, complement activation, and neutrophil chemotaxis all occur during
inflammation, the visible signs are directly attributable to vascular changes.
,2. Which of the following chemical mediators is responsible for the chemotactic
attraction of neutrophils to an inflammatory site?
• A) Histamine
• B) Bradykinin
• C) Leukotriene B4
• D) Prostaglandin E2
Rationale: Leukotriene B4 (LTB4) is a potent chemotactic agent that attracts neutrophils
to the site of inflammation. Histamine primarily causes vasodilation and increased
vascular permeability. Bradykinin causes pain and vasodilation. Prostaglandin E2 causes
vasodilation and potentiates pain but is not a primary chemotactic factor.
3. A patient with a severe bacterial infection has blood work showing a "left shift."
This finding indicates:
• A) Increased number of lymphocytes
• B) Release of immature neutrophils from the bone marrow
• C) Decreased erythrocyte sedimentation rate
• D) Elevated eosinophil count
Rationale: A "left shift" refers to an increased number of immature neutrophils (bands)
in the peripheral blood, indicating an increased demand for neutrophils due to acute
infection or inflammation. The bone marrow releases immature forms when the supply
of mature neutrophils is depleted. Lymphocytes are increased in viral infections; ESR is
elevated in inflammation; eosinophils are increased in allergic reactions and parasitic
infections.
, 4. During the vascular phase of acute inflammation, which of the following occurs
first?
• A) Emigration of leukocytes
• B) Transient vasoconstriction
• C) Increased capillary permeability
• D) Margination of neutrophils
Rationale: The vascular phase begins with a brief, transient vasoconstriction (lasting
seconds to minutes) followed by vasodilation. This initial vasoconstriction is followed by
vasodilation, increased capillary permeability, and then the cellular phase involving
margination, emigration, and chemotaxis of leukocytes.
5. A patient's wound culture reveals Staphylococcus aureus. The nurse recognizes
that the predominant leukocyte that will phagocytize this organism is:
• A) Eosinophil
• B) Basophil
• C) Neutrophil
• D) Macrophage
Rationale: Neutrophils are the first and most numerous phagocytes to arrive at an acute
inflammatory site, especially in bacterial infections. They are highly effective against
pyogenic (pus-forming) bacteria like Staphylococcus aureus. Eosinophils are involved in
parasitic infections and allergic reactions. Basophils release histamine. Macrophages
arrive later (in 24-48 hours) and are more prominent in chronic inflammation.
Questions and Correct Answers Review
on Inflammatory and Immune Responses
(University of South Alabama)/ NU 545
Unit 1 Test Prep
NU 545 Physio-Patho Unit 1 Test Bank: Inflammatory
Response
Multiple Choice Questions
1. A patient presents with localized redness, heat, swelling, and pain at a wound
site. The nurse understands that these classic signs of inflammation are primarily
caused by:
• A) Vasodilation and increased capillary permeability
• B) Activation of the complement cascade
• C) Release of histamine from mast cells only
• D) Neutrophil chemotaxis to the area
Rationale: The cardinal signs of inflammation (rubor, calor, tumor, dolor) result from
vasodilation (causing redness and heat) and increased capillary permeability (causing
swelling and pain from tissue pressure and chemical mediators). While histamine
release, complement activation, and neutrophil chemotaxis all occur during
inflammation, the visible signs are directly attributable to vascular changes.
,2. Which of the following chemical mediators is responsible for the chemotactic
attraction of neutrophils to an inflammatory site?
• A) Histamine
• B) Bradykinin
• C) Leukotriene B4
• D) Prostaglandin E2
Rationale: Leukotriene B4 (LTB4) is a potent chemotactic agent that attracts neutrophils
to the site of inflammation. Histamine primarily causes vasodilation and increased
vascular permeability. Bradykinin causes pain and vasodilation. Prostaglandin E2 causes
vasodilation and potentiates pain but is not a primary chemotactic factor.
3. A patient with a severe bacterial infection has blood work showing a "left shift."
This finding indicates:
• A) Increased number of lymphocytes
• B) Release of immature neutrophils from the bone marrow
• C) Decreased erythrocyte sedimentation rate
• D) Elevated eosinophil count
Rationale: A "left shift" refers to an increased number of immature neutrophils (bands)
in the peripheral blood, indicating an increased demand for neutrophils due to acute
infection or inflammation. The bone marrow releases immature forms when the supply
of mature neutrophils is depleted. Lymphocytes are increased in viral infections; ESR is
elevated in inflammation; eosinophils are increased in allergic reactions and parasitic
infections.
, 4. During the vascular phase of acute inflammation, which of the following occurs
first?
• A) Emigration of leukocytes
• B) Transient vasoconstriction
• C) Increased capillary permeability
• D) Margination of neutrophils
Rationale: The vascular phase begins with a brief, transient vasoconstriction (lasting
seconds to minutes) followed by vasodilation. This initial vasoconstriction is followed by
vasodilation, increased capillary permeability, and then the cellular phase involving
margination, emigration, and chemotaxis of leukocytes.
5. A patient's wound culture reveals Staphylococcus aureus. The nurse recognizes
that the predominant leukocyte that will phagocytize this organism is:
• A) Eosinophil
• B) Basophil
• C) Neutrophil
• D) Macrophage
Rationale: Neutrophils are the first and most numerous phagocytes to arrive at an acute
inflammatory site, especially in bacterial infections. They are highly effective against
pyogenic (pus-forming) bacteria like Staphylococcus aureus. Eosinophils are involved in
parasitic infections and allergic reactions. Basophils release histamine. Macrophages
arrive later (in 24-48 hours) and are more prominent in chronic inflammation.
