The nurse should recognize which pathophysiologic disease process(es) is/are related to an altered immune system? (Select all that apply)
Rheumatoid arthritis.
Emphysema.
Addison disease.
Type 1 diabetes mellitus.
Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS).
Correct Answer : A,D,E
Choice A reason: Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disorder where the immune system attacks synovial joints, causing inflammation and destruction. This altered immune response, driven by autoantibodies like rheumatoid factor, leads to chronic joint damage, aligning with diseases involving immune dysregulation, per rheumatology evidence.
Choice B reason: Emphysema, a COPD subtype, results from alveolar destruction due to smoking or environmental exposures, not immune dysregulation. While inflammation occurs, it is not primarily autoimmune. Emphysema’s pathophysiology involves protease imbalance, not altered immunity, making it incorrect for diseases related to immune system alterations.
Choice C reason: Addison disease involves adrenal insufficiency, often autoimmune, but primarily affects hormone production, not immune system activity. The immune attack on adrenal glands is a cause, not the ongoing disease process. This makes it less directly related to altered immunity compared to RA, T1DM, or GBS.
Choice D reason: Type 1 diabetes mellitus is an autoimmune condition where the immune system destroys pancreatic beta cells, leading to insulin deficiency. This immune-mediated attack, involving T-cells and autoantibodies, directly reflects altered immunity, making it a key example of an immune-related disease, per endocrinology evidence.
Choice E reason: Guillain-Barré syndrome is an autoimmune disorder where the immune system attacks peripheral nerves, causing demyelination and weakness. This post-infectious immune dysregulation, often triggered by molecular mimicry, directly involves altered immunity, aligning with the pathophysiology of immune-related diseases, per neurological evidence.
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Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A reason: Macrophages, lymph, and cytokines are part of the innate immune response, acting after pathogens breach initial barriers. First-line defenses are physical and chemical barriers like mucosa and secretions, not immune cells or fluids. This choice represents secondary defenses, making it incorrect for the primary barrier role.
Choice B reason: Lung epithelium, gastric mucosa, and tears are first-line defenses, preventing pathogen entry. Lung cilia trap microbes, gastric acid kills bacteria, and tears’ lysozymes neutralize pathogens. These physical and chemical barriers form the body’s initial protection, aligning with immunology principles for primary defense against infection.
Choice C reason: Interferon, T cells, and neutrophils are part of adaptive and innate immunity, activated after pathogen penetration. First-line defenses involve barriers like mucosa, not immune mediators or cells. This choice describes secondary immune responses, making it incorrect for the initial protective structures in humans.
Choice D reason: Thymus, bone marrow, and pancreas are involved in immune cell production and metabolism, not direct pathogen defense. First-line defenses are external barriers like lung epithelium or tears. These internal organs support immunity but are not primary barriers, making this incorrect for first-line defense structures.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A reason: Bone reabsorption exceeding formation describes osteoporosis, not rheumatoid arthritis. RA involves autoimmune inflammation of synovial joints, driven by cytokines and T-cells, not primary bone fragility. This choice is incorrect, as it misrepresents RA’s immune-mediated synovial pathology with a bone density disorder.
Choice B reason: Repetitive stress may cause osteoarthritis, not RA. RA is an autoimmune condition where T-cells and cytokines attack synovium, causing inflammation and cartilage damage. Stress may exacerbate symptoms, but it is not the primary mechanism, making this incorrect for RA’s pathophysiological explanation.
Choice C reason: RA’s pathophysiology involves T-cells producing cytokines (e.g., TNF-α) and antigen-antibody reactions, triggering synovial inflammation. This autoimmune process causes wrist swelling and joint damage, as seen in the client. This mechanism accurately explains RA’s inflammatory nature, per rheumatology evidence, and is appropriate for client education.
Choice D reason: Uric acid imbalance and urate crystal deposition cause gout, not RA. RA is driven by autoimmune T-cell and cytokine activity, not crystal-induced inflammation. This choice is incorrect, as it describes a different arthritic condition unrelated to the client’s autoimmune rheumatoid arthritis pathology.
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