A nurse is caring for a client with acute pancreatitis. Which of the following laboratory findings should the nurse expect?

The correct answers are:

• Immunoglobulin administration: Passive – Artificial Immunity
• Antibodies produced by body after exposure to live pathogen: Active – Natural Immunity
• Vaccine administration: Active – Artificial Immunity
• Antibodies passed from mother to fetus: Passive – Natural Immunity
• Antibodies produced by body after exposure to attenuated virus: Active – Artificial Immunity

A. Immunoglobulin administration involves injecting pre-formed antibodies from an external source, such as human or animal serum, to provide immediate but temporary protection. This does not stimulate the recipient’s immune system to produce antibodies or memory cells, aligning with passive – artificial immunity.

B. Exposure to a live pathogen triggers the body’s immune system to produce antibodies and memory cells, conferring long-term protection. This natural process of immune activation matches active – natural immunity, as the body actively responds to the pathogen without artificial intervention.

C. Vaccine administration introduces attenuated or inactivated pathogens, prompting the immune system to produce antibodies and memory cells without causing disease. This artificial induction of immunity aligns with active – artificial immunity, as it mimics natural infection but is deliberately administered.

D. Antibodies passed from mother to fetus, primarily immunoglobulin G (IgG) through the placenta, provide temporary protection to the newborn without active immune response. This natural transfer of antibodies corresponds to passive – natural immunity, as it occurs without medical intervention.

E. Exposure to an attenuated virus via vaccination stimulates the immune system to produce antibodies and memory cells, offering long-term protection. This controlled, artificial exposure aligns with active – artificial immunity, as it involves deliberate administration of a weakened pathogen to induce an immune response.

Choice A reason: Weight loss is a common finding in hyperthyroidism due to increased metabolic rate from elevated thyroid hormone levels. Thyroxine accelerates basal metabolism, increasing calorie expenditure, leading to unintentional weight loss despite normal or increased appetite. This catabolic state affects fat and muscle, making it a key clinical sign.

Choice B reason: Bradycardia is not associated with hyperthyroidism. Excessive thyroid hormone stimulates the sympathetic nervous system, causing tachycardia to meet increased metabolic demands. Bradycardia may occur in hypothyroidism, where metabolism slows, but in hyperthyroidism, heart rate increases, often accompanied by palpitations, reflecting heightened cardiovascular activity.

Choice C reason: Cold intolerance is characteristic of hypothyroidism, not hyperthyroidism. In hyperthyroidism, increased metabolic heat production causes heat intolerance and excessive sweating. Patients feel warm due to elevated thyroid hormone levels accelerating cellular metabolism, making cold intolerance an unlikely finding in this condition.

Choice D reason: Lethargy is not typical in hyperthyroidism. Elevated thyroid hormones increase energy expenditure, leading to restlessness, nervousness, or hyperactivity. Lethargy is more common in hypothyroidism, where low hormone levels slow metabolism, causing fatigue. Hyperthyroidism patients often report insomnia or increased energy, not sluggishness or lethargy.