Around three weeks after razing an old chicken house, a 71 year-old retired farmer has developed a fever, nausea and vomiting. After ruling out more common health problems, his care provider eventually made a diagnosis of histoplasmosis. Which physiological process is most likely taking place?
Antibody production against the offending fungi is delayed by the patient's age and the virulence of the organism
Macrophages are able to remove the offending fungi from the bloodstream but can't destroy them
Spore inhalation initiates an autoimmune response that produces the associated symptoms
Toxin production by Histoplasma capsulatum is triggering an immune response
The Correct Answer is A
A. Antibody production against the offending fungi is delayed by the patient's age and the virulence of the organism: In older adults, the immune response may be slower or less effective due to age-related changes in the immune system. The virulence of Histoplasma capsulatum can also contribute to the severity of the infection, making it more difficult for the immune system to mount an effective response quickly, which explains the symptoms of fever, nausea, and vomiting.
B. Macrophages are able to remove the offending fungi from the bloodstream but can't destroy them: While macrophages play a crucial role in the immune response to fungi, in the case of histoplasmosis, they often engulf the fungi but may struggle to completely eradicate them, especially in immunocompromised individuals or the elderly. However, this option does not fully explain the delayed symptoms associated with the patient's age and the organism's virulence.
C. Spore inhalation initiates an autoimmune response that produces the associated symptoms: Histoplasmosis is caused by inhaling spores of Histoplasma capsulatum, but the symptoms are not the result of an autoimmune response. Instead, the immune system's attempt to combat the infection leads to the clinical manifestations, not an autoimmune process.
D. Toxin production by Histoplasma capsulatum is triggering an immune response: Histoplasma capsulatum does not produce toxins that directly trigger an immune response. Instead, the immune response is primarily due to the presence of the fungi themselves and the inflammatory response they provoke, which leads to the associated symptoms of the infection.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
A. Acute pericarditis: Acute pericarditis is characterized by inflammation of the pericardium, often presenting with pleuritic chest pain, pericardial friction rub, and diffuse ST-segment elevations on ECG. It does not typically involve pericardial thickening or chronic symptoms such as pitting edema and dyspnea on exertion.
B. Constrictive pericarditis: Chronic pericarditis with pericardial thickening suggests constrictive pericarditis, a condition where the pericardium becomes rigid and fibrotic, impairing diastolic filling and leading to heart failure symptoms such as peripheral edema, crackles in the lungs, and dyspnea on exertion. The echocardiogram findings confirm this diagnosis.
C. Pericardial effusion: Pericardial effusion refers to the accumulation of excess fluid in the pericardial sac, which can lead to cardiac tamponade if severe. However, the presence of pericardial thickening rather than fluid accumulation suggests constrictive pericarditis rather than an isolated effusion.
D. Effusion-constrictive pericarditis: This condition involves both pericardial effusion and constrictive pericarditis. While it may share some features with constrictive pericarditis, the case description primarily highlights pericardial thickening rather than significant effusion, making constrictive pericarditis the more accurate diagnosis.
Correct Answer is ["B","C","D"]
Explanation
A. Percutaneous coronary intervention: Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is a treatment used to open blocked coronary arteries during a myocardial infarction but is not a complication of the event itself. It is a therapeutic procedure aimed at restoring blood flow and is not a direct consequence of myocardial infarction.
B. Sudden death: Sudden death can occur as a complication of myocardial infarction due to severe dysrhythmias or cardiac arrest resulting from electrical instability in the heart. This complication is critical and can occur shortly after the onset of an MI or during recovery.
C. Dysrhythmias: Dysrhythmias are common complications following myocardial infarction, often arising from ischemic damage to the heart muscle, which disrupts the normal electrical conduction pathways. These irregular heartbeats can range from benign to life-threatening.
D. Congestive heart failure: Congestive heart failure can develop as a complication of myocardial infarction due to the loss of functional cardiac muscle, resulting in decreased cardiac output and the heart's inability to pump effectively. This complication can develop acutely or progressively over time following an MI.
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