Nursing practice questions with comprehensive rationales
NurseDive Free Nursing Practice Question
What is the function of plasma cells?
A. To produce antibody molecules.
To produce antibody molecules: plasma cells are differentiated B cells specialized for synthesizing and secreting antibodies.
B. To directly attack cells displaying antigens.
To directly attack cells displaying antigens: cytotoxic T lymphocytes (and NK cells) directly attack antigen-bearing cells; plasma cells primarily secrete antibodies.
C. To increase the volume of the blood plasma.
To increase the volume of the blood plasma: plasma cell activity does not change plasma volume; they produce proteins (antibodies), not fluid volume.
D. To produce interferon.
To produce interferon: many cell types secrete interferons in response to viral infection (e.g., infected cells, immune cells), but plasma cells are dedicated antibody producers.
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Full Explanation
A. To produce antibody molecules: plasma cells are differentiated B cells specialized for synthesizing and secreting antibodies.
B. To directly attack cells displaying antigens: cytotoxic T lymphocytes (and NK cells) directly attack antigen-bearing cells; plasma cells primarily secrete antibodies.
C. To increase the volume of the blood plasma: plasma cell activity does not change plasma volume; they produce proteins (antibodies), not fluid volume.
D. To produce interferon: many cell types secrete interferons in response to viral infection (e.g., infected cells, immune cells), but plasma cells are dedicated antibody producers.
Similar Questions
Name the innate defense that involves vasodilation and increased vascular permeability, resulting in the influx of blood, blood cells, and fluid to an area of injury or infection.
A. Inflammation
Inflammation: inflammation causes vasodilation and increased capillary permeability so immune cells and plasma components reach the injured/infected tissue.
B. Activation of NK cells
Activation of NK cells: NK cell activation is an innate cytotoxic response against infected or malignant cells but does not itself describe the vascular changes listed.
C. Complement activation
Complement activation: complement promotes opsonization, chemotaxis, and membrane attack, but the described vasodilation/permeability hallmark is inflammation.
D. Activation of mononuclear phagocytic system
Activation of mononuclear phagocytic system: activation of macrophages/monocytes contributes to defense and cleanup, but the vascular response described is specifically the inflammatory process.
Full Explanation
A. Inflammation: inflammation causes vasodilation and increased capillary permeability so immune cells and plasma components reach the injured/infected tissue.
B. Activation of NK cells: NK cell activation is an innate cytotoxic response against infected or malignant cells but does not itself describe the vascular changes listed.
C. Complement activation: complement promotes opsonization, chemotaxis, and membrane attack, but the described vasodilation/permeability hallmark is inflammation.
D. Activation of mononuclear phagocytic system: activation of macrophages/monocytes contributes to defense and cleanup, but the vascular response described is specifically the inflammatory process.
Newborns can be protected against certain digestive and respiratory infections when they receive what via their mother's milk? This antibody is also present in secretions like tears and nasal fluid.
A. IgD
IgD: IgD is mainly a B-cell receptor on naïve B cells and is not the dominant secretory antibody in mucosal secretions or breast milk.
B. IgA
IgA: Secretory IgA is abundant in breast milk (colostrum) and mucosal secretions (tears, saliva, nasal fluid) and helps protect infants’ mucosal surfaces from pathogens.
C. IgE
IgE: IgE is involved in allergy and parasitic defense and is not the primary protective antibody in breast milk or mucosal secretions.
D. IgM
IgM: IgM is the first antibody produced in primary responses and is mainly intravascular; it is not the dominant secretory antibody passed in milk.
Full Explanation
A. IgD: IgD is mainly a B-cell receptor on naïve B cells and is not the dominant secretory antibody in mucosal secretions or breast milk.
B. IgA: Secretory IgA is abundant in breast milk (colostrum) and mucosal secretions (tears, saliva, nasal fluid) and helps protect infants’ mucosal surfaces from pathogens.
C. IgE: IgE is involved in allergy and parasitic defense and is not the primary protective antibody in breast milk or mucosal secretions.
D. IgM: IgM is the first antibody produced in primary responses and is mainly intravascular; it is not the dominant secretory antibody passed in milk.
What is the target of cytotoxic T cells?
A. Antigens in solution
Antigens in solution: cytotoxic T cells (CD8⁺) recognize antigen presented on MHC I of cells, not free/soluble antigens in plasma.
B. Cancer cells and virally infected cells
Cancer cells and virally infected cells: cytotoxic T cells detect abnormal peptides on MHC I and kill virally infected or neoplastically transformed (cancer) host cells.
C. Antigen-presenting cells
Antigen-presenting cells: Partially misleading -professional APCs present antigen on MHC II to helper T cells; cytotoxic T cells usually target infected or abnormal host cells (though APCs can present antigen on MHC I and theoretically be targeted).
D. Helper T cells
Helper T cells: helper T cells (CD4⁺) are immune coordinators, not the usual targets of cytotoxic T cells.
Full Explanation
A. Antigens in solution: cytotoxic T cells (CD8⁺) recognize antigen presented on MHC I of cells, not free/soluble antigens in plasma.
B. Cancer cells and virally infected cells: cytotoxic T cells detect abnormal peptides on MHC I and kill virally infected or neoplastically transformed (cancer) host cells.
C. Antigen-presenting cells: Partially misleading -professional APCs present antigen on MHC II to helper T cells; cytotoxic T cells usually target infected or abnormal host cells (though APCs can present antigen on MHC I and theoretically be targeted).
D. Helper T cells: helper T cells (CD4⁺) are immune coordinators, not the usual targets of cytotoxic T cells.