The nurse is reviewing disorders of the immune system.
Which scenario best represents an autoimmune disease?
Activation of T lymphocytes in response to a viral infection.
The immune system mounting a response against the body's own tissues.
Antibodies attacking transfused red blood cells following a mismatched transfusion.
Rapid onset of hives and bronchospasm after exposure to an allergen.
The Correct Answer is B
Choice A rationale
T lymphocyte activation during a viral encounter is a normal, healthy immune response rather than a pathological autoimmune condition. Cytotoxic T cells recognize viral antigens presented on Major Histocompatibility Complex molecules to destroy infected host cells. This specific adaptive immunity is essential for viral clearance and does not involve a breakdown in self-tolerance. It represents the physiological purpose of the immune system in maintaining host integrity against external pathogens through structured cellular signaling.
Choice B rationale
Autoimmune disease occurs when the adaptive immune system loses the ability to differentiate between self-antigens and non-self-antigens, leading to an attack on endogenous tissues. This involves a failure in central or peripheral tolerance, where B and T cells become autoreactive. The resulting chronic inflammation and tissue destruction characterize disorders like systemic lupus erythematosus or rheumatoid arthritis. This scenario precisely captures the underlying pathophysiology of autoimmunity where the body identifies its own components as foreign.
Choice C rationale
An adverse reaction to mismatched blood is a type II cytotoxic hypersensitivity reaction, not an autoimmune disease. In this process, preformed antibodies in the recipient's plasma bind to foreign antigens on the transfused donor red blood cells. This triggers the complement cascade and leads to acute hemolysis. While it involves an immune attack on cells, the trigger is an exogenous source of foreign tissue rather than a primary failure of the body to recognize itself.
Choice D rationale
Hives and bronchospasm represent a type I immediate hypersensitivity reaction mediated by Immunoglobulin E and mast cell degranulation. Upon exposure to an allergen, cross-linking of antibodies occurs, releasing histamine and leukotrienes that cause smooth muscle contraction and vascular permeability. This is an overreaction to an external environmental stimulus, such as pollen or peanuts, rather than an internal attack against the body's own stable cellular structures or organs.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A rationale
Visceral pain originates from the internal organs within the thorax, abdomen, or pelvis. The nerves supplying these organs are fewer and less specialized than those in the skin. Consequently, visceral pain is often described as dull, aching, or squeezing and is poorly localized, making it difficult for the patient to point to a specific spot. It is frequently associated with autonomic responses such as nausea or changes in heart rate and blood pressure due to organ distension.
Choice B rationale
Neuropathic pain results from direct damage to or dysfunction of the nervous system itself rather than tissue injury. It is typically described by patients as burning, tingling, shooting, or electric-like sensations. Unlike the dull discomfort of visceral pain, neuropathic pain often follows a specific nerve distribution and can be associated with hypersensitivity to touch. It is common in conditions like diabetic neuropathy, shingles, or nerve compression syndromes where the signaling process is pathologically altered.
Choice C rationale
Referred pain is pain perceived at a location other than the site of the actual painful stimulus. This happens because various visceral organs and skin areas share common sensory pathways in the spinal cord. A classic example is shoulder pain during a myocardial infarction or gallbladder disease. While referred pain can be poorly localized, the question specifically asks about the classification of the nature of the abdominal discomfort itself rather than its secondary location in a distant area.
Choice D rationale
Somatic pain arises from the skin, muscles, joints, or bones. It is generally well-localized because these tissues are densely populated with sensory receptors. Patients can usually point exactly to the source of the pain, which is often described as sharp, throbbing, or stabbing. Because the abdominal discomfort mentioned in the scenario is dull and difficult to pinpoint, it does not fit the characteristic description of somatic pain, which is much more precise and intense.
Correct Answer is ["3"]
Explanation
58 Step 1 is 375 mg ÷ 125 mg. The final calculated answer is 3 tablets.
Whether you are a student looking to ace your exams or a practicing nurse seeking to enhance your expertise , our nursing education contents will empower you with the confidence and competence to make a difference in the lives of patients and become a respected leader in the healthcare field.
Visit Naxlex, invest in your future and unlock endless possibilities with our unparalleled nursing education contents today
Report Wrong Answer on the Current Question
Do you disagree with the answer? If yes, what is your expected answer? Explain.
Kindly be descriptive with the issue you are facing.