MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. What is the process by which certain cells engulf and digest microorganisms and cellular
debris?
a. Erythrocytosis
b. Hematocrit
c. Phagocytosis
d. Hemostasis
ANS: C
Phagocytosis is the process by which bacteria, cellular debris, and solid particles are destroyed
and removed.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Comprehension REF: Page 267 OBJ: 3
TOP: Diagnostic procedures KEY: Nursing Process Step: Assessment
MSC: NCLEX: Physiological Integrity
2. The nurse explains that because it is a reliable and predictable indicator of the body’s level of
infection or recovery the _____________________ is a common diagnostic tool.
a. Hemoglobin
b. Hematocrit
c. Mean cell volume (MCV)
d. Differential
ANS: D
A differential white blood cell count is an examination in which the different kinds of WBCs
are counted and reported as percentages of the total examined. It is a common diagnostic tool
because of its reliability and the predictability of the body’s response to infection or its
progress in recovery.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Analysis REF: Page 267 OBJ: 4
TOP: Differential KEY: Nursing Process Step: Implementation
MSC: NCLEX: Physiological Integrity
3. The nurse assessing a differential sees an increase in immature neutrophils (bands) and is
aware that this indicates:
a.a significant hemorrhage.
b.aplastic anemia.
c.an overwhelming bacterial infection.
d.beginning recovery from an infection.
ANS: C
An increase in immature neutrophils (bands) is called bandemia, and it indicates an
overwhelming bacterial infection.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Application REF: Page 267 OBJ: 1
TOP: Bandemia KEY: Nursing Process Step: Assessment
MSC: NCLEX: Physiological Integrity
, 4. B cells and T cells fit under which classification?
a. Erythrocytes
b. Basophils
c. Lymphocytes
d. Monocytes
ANS: C
B cells and T cells, the major players in the antigen/antibody conflict, are both lymphocytes.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Knowledge REF: Page 267 OBJ: 1
TOP: Lymphocytes KEY: Nursing Process Step: Assessment
MSC: NCLEX: Physiological Integrity
5. The nurse explains that in the event of an invasion of an allergen, the basophils release a
strong vasodilator, which is:
a. lysozyme.
b. prothrombin.
c. hematocrit.
d. histamine.
ANS: D
Histamine is released by the basophils during the invasion of an allergen.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Comprehension REF: Page 267 OBJ: 1
TOP: Leukocytes KEY: Nursing Process Step: Implementation
MSC: NCLEX: Physiological Integrity
6. The presence of excess bands in the peripheral blood that indicate severe infection is called:
a. shift to the left.
b. shift to the right.
c. bone marrow aspiration.
d. thrombocytosis.
ANS: A
The presence of excess bands in the peripheral blood is called a shift to the left (i.e., a shift
toward immature cells) and indicates severe infection.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Analysis REF: Page 267 OBJ: 8
TOP: Diagnostic procedures KEY: Nursing Process Step: Assessment
MSC: NCLEX: Physiological Integrity
7. A patient who had a Schilling test shows a 20% excretion of the radioactive vitamin B12. What
would this indicate?
a.The patient has a low reserve of iron and has iron deficiency anemia.
b.The patient has a normal finding and does not have pernicious anemia.
c.The patient has a deficiency of thrombocytes and has a clotting disorder.
d.The patient has an excess of RBCs and has polycythemia.
ANS: B
The Schilling test is a laboratory blood test for diagnosing pernicious anemia. The normal
reading 24 hours after the administration of radioactive vitamin B12 is 8% to 40%. The test
measures the absorption of radioactive vitamin B12.