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NURS 6501 – Week 4 Study Guide
Infection, Immunity, & Wound Healing
High-Yield Summary + 10 NCLEX-Style Questions
Infection & Host Response
1. Pathogen Types
Pathogen Example Notes
Virus HIV, Influenza Intracellular; hijack host DNA
Bacteria Strep, E. coli Reproduce independently; treat with antibiotics
Fungi Candida Opportunistic; difficult to treat
Parasites Malaria, Giardia Often chronic infections
Prions Creutzfeldt-Jakob Abnormal proteins; no nucleic acids
2. Stages of Infection
1. Incubation – time between exposure and symptom onset
2. Prodromal – mild symptoms start
3. Invasion – full infection develops
4. Convalescence – symptoms resolve, recovery begins
3. Immune Evasion Mechanisms
• Antigenic variation (flu viruses)
• Biofilm formation (e.g., in catheters)
• Intracellular hiding (e.g., TB)
Immunocompromise
• Primary = congenital (e.g., SCID)
• Secondary = acquired (e.g., HIV, chemo, aging)
• ↑ Risk for opportunistic infections (Pneumocystis, CMV)
NURS 6501 – Week 4 Study Guide
Infection, Immunity, & Wound Healing
High-Yield Summary + 10 NCLEX-Style Questions
Infection & Host Response
1. Pathogen Types
Pathogen Example Notes
Virus HIV, Influenza Intracellular; hijack host DNA
Bacteria Strep, E. coli Reproduce independently; treat with antibiotics
Fungi Candida Opportunistic; difficult to treat
Parasites Malaria, Giardia Often chronic infections
Prions Creutzfeldt-Jakob Abnormal proteins; no nucleic acids
2. Stages of Infection
1. Incubation – time between exposure and symptom onset
2. Prodromal – mild symptoms start
3. Invasion – full infection develops
4. Convalescence – symptoms resolve, recovery begins
3. Immune Evasion Mechanisms
• Antigenic variation (flu viruses)
• Biofilm formation (e.g., in catheters)
• Intracellular hiding (e.g., TB)
Immunocompromise
• Primary = congenital (e.g., SCID)
• Secondary = acquired (e.g., HIV, chemo, aging)
• ↑ Risk for opportunistic infections (Pneumocystis, CMV)
