NURS 3366 AO EXAM 2 BLUEPRINT AND CONTENT
SUMMARY | 2026 UPDATE | WITH COMPLETE
SOLUTIONS - UTA.
Section 1: Lines of Defense & Innate Immunity
1. A patient with Sjogren's syndrome experiences dry eyes and dry mouth. This
condition represents a breach of which line of defense?
• A) Second line of defense (inflammation)
• B) First line of defense (physical and biochemical barriers) (Correct
Answer)
• C) Third line of defense (acquired immunity)
• D) Fourth line of defense (complement system)
Rationale: Sjogren's syndrome is an autoimmune disease that dries up lubricating
fluids in the body. The first line of defense includes physical and biochemical
barriers such as tears, saliva, and mucous membranes. When these are
compromised, the body's initial protective barrier is breached, increasing
susceptibility to infection.
2. Which of the following is a characteristic of the second line of defense
(inflammation)?
• A) Delayed response with immunocyte memory
• B) Immediate and non-specific response (Correct Answer)
• C) Specific response targeting particular antigens
• D) Requires prior exposure to the pathogen
,Rationale: The second line of defense, inflammation, is part of innate (natural)
resistance. It is immediate and non-specific, meaning it responds to any injury or
invasion regardless of the specific pathogen. The third line of defense (acquired
immunity) is delayed and specific.
3. The first line of defense includes all of the following EXCEPT:
• A) Skin and intact epidermis
• B) Mucous membranes
• C) Neutrophils and macrophages (Correct Answer)
• D) Tears and eyelashes
Rationale: The first line of defense consists of physical and mechanical barriers
such as skin, mucous membranes, tears, eyelashes, saliva, and stomach acid.
Neutrophils and macrophages are components of the second line of defense
(inflammation and phagocytosis).
4. A patient with a laceration develops localized redness, heat, swelling, and
pain. These signs are classic manifestations of:
• A) The inflammatory response (second line of defense) (Correct Answer)
• B) The acquired immune response
• C) First line of defense activation
• D) An allergic hypersensitivity reaction
Rationale: The cardinal signs of inflammation—rubor (redness), calor (heat),
tumor (swelling), and dolor (pain)—result from vasodilation and increased
capillary permeability. This is the hallmark of the second line of defense, which is
triggered when the first line of defense is breached.
, 5. In the inflammatory process, which cell type is the first to arrive at the site of
injury to phagocytize pathogens?
• A) Macrophages
• B) Neutrophils (Correct Answer)
• C) Lymphocytes
• D) Mast cells
Rationale: Neutrophils are the first phagocytic white blood cells to migrate from
the bloodstream into the injured tissue. They arrive early to "eat and destroy" dirt,
debris, dying tissue, and microbes. Monocytes arrive later and become
macrophages.
6. A patient presents with fever, malaise, elevated WBC count (leukocytosis),
and elevated C-reactive protein (CRP). These findings indicate:
• A) A local inflammatory response only
• B) A systemic inflammatory response (Correct Answer)
• C) Failure of the first line of defense
• D) A deficiency in acquired immunity
Rationale: When a local inflammatory response is insufficient, the body activates a
systemic inflammatory response. Signs include fever, malaise, aches/pains,
leukocytosis (elevated WBCs), neutrophilia, and elevated acute phase reactants
such as CRP. This indicates the inflammatory process has become systemic.
7. What is the role of prostaglandins in the inflammatory response?
• A) Contribute to vasodilation, capillary permeability, fever, and
pain (Correct Answer)
• B) Only protect the gastric mucosa from ulcers
SUMMARY | 2026 UPDATE | WITH COMPLETE
SOLUTIONS - UTA.
Section 1: Lines of Defense & Innate Immunity
1. A patient with Sjogren's syndrome experiences dry eyes and dry mouth. This
condition represents a breach of which line of defense?
• A) Second line of defense (inflammation)
• B) First line of defense (physical and biochemical barriers) (Correct
Answer)
• C) Third line of defense (acquired immunity)
• D) Fourth line of defense (complement system)
Rationale: Sjogren's syndrome is an autoimmune disease that dries up lubricating
fluids in the body. The first line of defense includes physical and biochemical
barriers such as tears, saliva, and mucous membranes. When these are
compromised, the body's initial protective barrier is breached, increasing
susceptibility to infection.
2. Which of the following is a characteristic of the second line of defense
(inflammation)?
• A) Delayed response with immunocyte memory
• B) Immediate and non-specific response (Correct Answer)
• C) Specific response targeting particular antigens
• D) Requires prior exposure to the pathogen
,Rationale: The second line of defense, inflammation, is part of innate (natural)
resistance. It is immediate and non-specific, meaning it responds to any injury or
invasion regardless of the specific pathogen. The third line of defense (acquired
immunity) is delayed and specific.
3. The first line of defense includes all of the following EXCEPT:
• A) Skin and intact epidermis
• B) Mucous membranes
• C) Neutrophils and macrophages (Correct Answer)
• D) Tears and eyelashes
Rationale: The first line of defense consists of physical and mechanical barriers
such as skin, mucous membranes, tears, eyelashes, saliva, and stomach acid.
Neutrophils and macrophages are components of the second line of defense
(inflammation and phagocytosis).
4. A patient with a laceration develops localized redness, heat, swelling, and
pain. These signs are classic manifestations of:
• A) The inflammatory response (second line of defense) (Correct Answer)
• B) The acquired immune response
• C) First line of defense activation
• D) An allergic hypersensitivity reaction
Rationale: The cardinal signs of inflammation—rubor (redness), calor (heat),
tumor (swelling), and dolor (pain)—result from vasodilation and increased
capillary permeability. This is the hallmark of the second line of defense, which is
triggered when the first line of defense is breached.
, 5. In the inflammatory process, which cell type is the first to arrive at the site of
injury to phagocytize pathogens?
• A) Macrophages
• B) Neutrophils (Correct Answer)
• C) Lymphocytes
• D) Mast cells
Rationale: Neutrophils are the first phagocytic white blood cells to migrate from
the bloodstream into the injured tissue. They arrive early to "eat and destroy" dirt,
debris, dying tissue, and microbes. Monocytes arrive later and become
macrophages.
6. A patient presents with fever, malaise, elevated WBC count (leukocytosis),
and elevated C-reactive protein (CRP). These findings indicate:
• A) A local inflammatory response only
• B) A systemic inflammatory response (Correct Answer)
• C) Failure of the first line of defense
• D) A deficiency in acquired immunity
Rationale: When a local inflammatory response is insufficient, the body activates a
systemic inflammatory response. Signs include fever, malaise, aches/pains,
leukocytosis (elevated WBCs), neutrophilia, and elevated acute phase reactants
such as CRP. This indicates the inflammatory process has become systemic.
7. What is the role of prostaglandins in the inflammatory response?
• A) Contribute to vasodilation, capillary permeability, fever, and
pain (Correct Answer)
• B) Only protect the gastric mucosa from ulcers
