Deck 3: Immunologic Diseases and Conditions

Question 1

Immunoglobulins that provide the ability to recognize foreign organisms stimulating the antigen-antibody reaction are called

A) T-killer cells.
B) T-helper cells.
C) T-suppressor cells.
D) B-cells.

Answer 1

D
Once activated by exposure to an antigen, B-cells are stimulated to proliferate and form a clone of cells that respond to that specific antigen. Some B-cells become antibody-secreting plasma cells, whereas others become memory B-cells, ready for a quick response if the target antigen presents itself again.

Question 2

Fever, joint pain, malaise, weight loss, and the characteristic butterfly rash are indications of

A) SLE.
B) scleroderma.
C) RA.
D) Sjögren's syndrome.

Answer 2

A
SLE, also called lupus, can inflame and damage connective tissue anywhere in the body. SLE most commonly produces inflammation of the skin, joints, nervous system, kidneys, lungs, and other organs. The formal diagnosis of SLE can be made if four or more of a list of specific symptoms or positive laboratory tests are present either at the same time or sequentially.

Question 3

An autoimmune condition in which erythrocytes (red blood cells, RBCs) are destroyed by antibodies, causing the patient to experience fatigue, chills, fever, dyspnea, and jaundice, is

A) ankylosing spondylitis (AS).
B) autoimmune hemolytic anemia.
C) multiple sclerosis.
D) none of the above.

Answer 3

B
Because of a misguided immune response, B-cell-produced antibodies do not identify RBCs as self, resulting in agglutination of RBCs and an attack on and destruction of the red corpuscles.

Question 4

Pyridostigmine bromide [Mestinon] is the drug of choice for treatment of

A) myasthenia gravis.
B) multiple sclerosis.
C) small vessel vasculitis.
D) systemic necrotizing vasculitis.

Question 5

The inflammatory disease of the central nervous system that attacks the myelin sheath is

A) myasthenia gravis.
B) muscular dystrophy.
C) multiple sclerosis.
D) none of the above.

Question 6

The systemic disease that usually begins with joint inflammation and edema of the synovial membranes surrounding the joint is

A) SLE.
B) scleroderma.
C) RA.
D) Sjögren's syndrome.

Question 7

A chronic, progressive neuromuscular disease that is characterized by extreme muscular weakness (generally appearing first in the face) and progressive fatigue is

A) myasthenia gravis.
B) muscular dystrophy.
C) multiple sclerosis.
D) none of the above.

Question 8

The primary treatment of RA is

A) reduction of inflammation and pain.
B) preservation of joint function.
C) prevention of joint deformity.
D) all of the above.

Question 9

The acquired immunity that results when a person has a disease is

A) active.
B) passive.
C) attenuated.
D) all of the above.

Question 10

A chronic, progressive, systemic autoimmune disease of the skin that is characterized by hardening and shrinking of the skin is

A) SLE.
B) systemic scleroderma.
C) RA.
D) multiple sclerosis.

Question 11

The most common form of immunodeficiency is

A) X-linked agammaglobulinemia.
B) severe combined immunodeficiency disease (SCID).
C) selective immunoglobulin A (IgA) deficiency disease.
D) CVID.

Question 12

A history of repeated chronic infections due to an acquired B-cell deficiency and decreased antibody production and/or function is usually indicative of

A) AS.
B) polymyositis.
C) common variable immunodeficiency disease (CVID).
D) DiGeorge's anomaly.

Question 13

_____ is a systemic, usually progressive inflammatory disease primarily affecting the spinal column.

A) Scleroderma
B) Wiskott-Aldrich's syndrome
C) Polymyositis
D) AS

Question 14

A patient with a platelet deficiency and blood clotting inability has

A) autoimmune hemolytic anemia.
B) pernicious anemia.
C) idiopathic thrombocytopenic anemia.
D) none of the above.

Question 15

When the immune system reacts appropriately to specific antigens and homeostasis is maintained, this is termed

A) autoimmunity.
B) immunocompetence.
C) allergy.
D) none of the above.

Question 16

A child in the emergency room with multiple bruising of unknown cause and thrombocytopenia may be exhibiting signs of

A) multiple sclerosis.
B) idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP).
C) pernicious anemia.
D) selective IgA deficiency.

Question 17

T-cell lymphocytes are produced in the

A) bone marrow.
B) spleen.
C) thymus gland.
D) blood.

Question 18

The group of diseases that occur when antibodies develop and begin to destroy the body's own cells is

A) immunodeficiency diseases.
B) autoimmune diseases.
C) immunocompetent diseases.
D) diseases of the reticuloendothelial system.

Question 19

Decreased gastric production of hydrochloric acid and the resulting shortage of the intrinsic factor cause

A) rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
B) systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).
C) autoimmune hemolytic anemia.
D) pernicious anemia.

Question 20

With proper therapy the prognosis for children with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis is

A) generally good.
B) poor.
C) very likely to mean a lifetime of dependence on others for care.
D) total remission in 10% of cases.

Question 21

Chronic mucocutaneous candidiasis (CMC) refers to a group of disorders characterized by persistent and recurrent candidal (fungal) infection of

A) skin.
B) nails.
C) mucous membrane.
D) all of the above.

Question 22

Immunization with live virus vaccines may be contraindicated in children with compromised immune systems.

Question 23

Transmission of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is possible

A) before it can be detected by laboratory tests.
B) only when is can be detected by laboratory tests.
C) during the "window period."
D) when both a and c occur.

Question 24

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), most sexually transmitted cases of HIV in the United States occur through men having sex with men (MSM).

Question 25

The use of HAART significantly decreases the risk of HIV transmission to an HIV-seronegative sexual partner.

Question 26

When an individual reports a known HIV exposure through unprotected sexual contact or an accidental puncture with a contaminated needle,

A) immediate medical care should be arranged.
B) there is no recommended medical attention.
C) he or she is informed there is now a cure for HIV.
D) none of the above.

Question 27

Some types and functions of T-cells in the body's immune system include

A) cytotoxic T-cells that destroy virus and tumor cells.
B) helper T-cells that stimulate B-cells to produce antibodies.
C) suppressor T-cells that moderate the immune response.
D) all of the above.

Question 28

Side effects of nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) include gastrointestinal ulceration and bleeding, blood dyscrasias, tinnitus, rash, hypersensitivity reactions, and liver toxicity.

Question 29

Testing for which immunodeficiency disease is now part of newborn screening in the United States?

A) SCID
B) Polymyositis
C) CVID
D) None of the above

Question 30

All patients with HIV will develop full-blown acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS).

Question 31

Autoimmune diseases occur when autoantibodies develop and begin to destroy the body's own cells.

Question 32

HIV is primarily transmitted through sexual contact and through contaminated blood and blood products.

Question 33

The five immunoglobulins are

A) IgM, IgG, IgA, IgD, and IgE.
B) variations of the T-cells in the blood.
C) measured by home testing.
D) the cause of opportunistic infections.

Question 34

There are no cures for connective tissue diseases, and treatment is only palliative.

Question 35

Tolerance to self-antigens is believed to commence during fetal life.

Question 36

Injections of vitamin B₁₂, which must be continued for life, are the primary treatment for pernicious anemia.

Question 37

Immunodeficiency diseases that affect only males include

A) X-linked agammaglobulinemia.
B) Wiskott-Aldrich's syndrome.
C) both of the above.
D) neither of the above.

Question 38

Inflammation of the walls of blood vessels is called

A) pernicious anemia.
B) multiple sclerosis.
C) vasculitis.
D) immune neutropenia.

Question 39

Patients with severe IgA deficiency should be encouraged to obtain a medical alert bracelet due to risk for

A) Kaposi's sarcoma.
B) DiGeorge's anomaly.
C) allergic reaction to blood products.
D) all of the above.

Question 40

Opportunistic infections can emerge as a result of deficiencies of the immune system.

Question 41

Prevention measures for HIV infection relate directly to avoiding risk factors such as hugging, touching, and handshaking.

Question 42

The risk of transmission of HIV to and from health care workers and patients is minimized by strict adherence to the universal precautions for infection control.