The nurse cares for the client with a history of pulmonary tuberculosis (TB). Two granulomas were present in the chest x-ray. Which explanation does the nurse understand best describes the primary immune response to tuberculosis infection?

Choice A reason: Hyperplasia is not the best term because it is a condition where the number of cells in a tissue or organ increases, which can be caused by various factors, such as hormones, inflammation, or stress. Hyperplasia does not involve the change of cell type, but the increase of cell number.

Choice B reason: Metaplasia is the best term because it is a condition where the type of cells in a tissue or organ changes, usually in response to chronic irritation or injury. Metaplasia involves the replacement of one type of cell with another type of cell that is more resistant to the harmful stimulus, but less specialized in function. Metaplasia can occur in the bronchi, which are the airways that branch from the trachea to the lungs, and are normally lined with ciliated columnar cells, which are cells that have hair-like projections that help to move mucus and foreign particles out of the respiratory tract. Metaplasia can replace the ciliated columnar cells with stratified squamous epithelial cells, which are cells that have multiple layers and a flat shape, and are more durable, but less effective in clearing the airways.

Choice C reason: Neoplasia is not the best term because it is a condition where the growth of cells in a tissue or organ is abnormal and uncontrolled, which can result in the formation of tumors, which are masses of abnormal cells that can be benign or malignant. Neoplasia does not involve the change of cell type, but the abnormal proliferation of cells.

Choice D reason: Dysplasia is not the best term because it is a condition where the shape, size, and organization of cells in a tissue or organ are abnormal, which can be caused by various factors, such as chronic inflammation, infection, or precancerous changes. Dysplasia does not involve the change of cell type, but the alteration of cell morphology and arrangement.

Choice A reason: Increased serum hydrostatic pressure is not the best explanation for the edema because it is caused by fluid overload, not malnutrition. Fluid overload can result from heart failure, kidney failure, or excessive fluid intake.

Choice B reason: Increased kidney filtration pressure is not the best explanation for the edema because it is caused by increased blood flow to the kidneys, not malnutrition. Increased blood flow to the kidneys can result from hypertension, diabetes, or renal artery stenosis.

Choice C reason: Decreased capillary osmotic pressure is the best explanation for the edema because it is caused by low plasma protein levels, which are common in malnutrition. Low plasma protein levels reduce the force that pulls fluid back into the capillaries from the interstitial space, leading to fluid accumulation in the tissues.

Choice D reason: Intracellular dehydration is not the best explanation for the edema because it is caused by loss of water from the cells, not malnutrition. Loss of water from the cells can result from hypernatremia, hyperglycemia, or osmotic diuresis.