A fellow student asks you to explain how tuberculosis (TB) can remain dormant in some people. What explanation will you give?
It does not remain dormant but some host defenses can kill the bacteria
Virulence factors in the baciilli weaken over time leading to apoptosis
The bacilli can become isolated within tubercles in the lungs, possibly encapsulated
Macrophages attack and phagocytize new areas of infection
The Correct Answer is C
A. It does not remain dormant but some host defenses can kill the bacteria: While the immune system can kill some of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis bacilli, in many cases, the bacteria evade complete eradication and persist in a dormant state within the lungs. This does not mean the infection is fully eliminated, as it can reactivate later.
B. Virulence factors in the bacilli weaken over time, leading to apoptosis: Mycobacterium tuberculosis does not naturally lose its virulence over time. Instead, it can persist in a latent state due to immune containment, not because of a reduction in its ability to cause disease.
C. The bacilli can become isolated within tubercles in the lungs, possibly encapsulated: In latent tuberculosis, the immune system walls off the bacilli within granulomas (tubercles), preventing active disease. These granulomas may be encapsulated with fibrous tissue, restricting bacterial growth and spread. The bacteria remain dormant but can reactivate if the immune system weakens.
D. Macrophages attack and phagocytize new areas of infection: While macrophages do play a role in the immune response to tuberculosis, they are often unable to completely eradicate the bacilli. Instead, the bacteria can survive within macrophages and trigger the formation of granulomas, which help contain but not eliminate the infection.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
A. Thoracotomy: Thoracotomy involves opening the chest cavity to access the heart and lungs; this surgical approach is not the first-line treatment for pericardial effusion and is more invasive than necessary, potentially leading to increased recovery time and complications.
B. Pericardiocentesis: Pericardiocentesis involves inserting a needle into the pericardial space to remove excess fluid; this procedure is a common and effective treatment for symptomatic large pericardial effusions, providing rapid relief of symptoms such as dyspnea and chest pain while also allowing for diagnostic evaluation of the fluid.
C. Heart catheterization: Heart catheterization involves a diagnostic procedure to assess heart function and blood flow through the coronary arteries; while it provides valuable information regarding cardiac conditions, it is not indicated for treating pericardial effusion and does not address the underlying fluid accumulation.
D. Pericardiectomy: Pericardiectomy involves removing part or all of the pericardium; this surgical procedure is typically reserved for chronic cases or constrictive pericarditis, as it is more invasive and not the immediate treatment option for an acute pericardial effusion, where less invasive options are preferred.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
A. Dilated: Dilated cardiomyopathy is characterized by an enlarged heart with decreased contractility and thinning of the ventricular walls. It does not involve disproportionate thickening of the interventricular septum.
B. Dystrophic: Dystrophic cardiomyopathy refers to muscle degeneration due to underlying muscular dystrophies. It does not specifically describe the thickening of the interventricular septum and is not a primary classification of cardiomyopathy.
C. Hypertrophic: Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is marked by a disproportionate thickening of the interventricular septum, leading to impaired diastolic filling and potential obstruction of blood flow out of the left ventricle. This characteristic thickening is a hallmark of this condition.
D. Restrictive: Restrictive cardiomyopathy involves stiffening of the heart muscle, which impairs filling during diastole but does not specifically feature disproportionate thickening of the interventricular septum. Instead, it may present with normal or slightly thickened walls but with decreased compliance.
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