Nursing practice questions with comprehensive rationales
NurseDive Free Nursing Practice Question
What is the primary function of lymphocytes?
A. To produce enzymes that dissolve blood clots.
To produce enzymes that dissolve blood clots: fibrinolytic enzymes (e.g., plasmin) handle clot breakdown; lymphocytes are not responsible for that.
B. To act against foreign substances.
To act against foreign substances: lymphocytes (B cells, T cells, NK cells) are central to adaptive immunity and target pathogens/foreign antigens.
C. To phagocytize damaged cells.
To phagocytize damaged cells: phagocytosis is mainly done by macrophages and neutrophils, not lymphocytes.
D. To release substances that initiate blood clots.
To release substances that initiate blood clots: platelets and clotting factor pathways initiate clotting; lymphocytes do not.
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Full Explanation
A. To produce enzymes that dissolve blood clots: fibrinolytic enzymes (e.g., plasmin) handle clot breakdown; lymphocytes are not responsible for that.
B. To act against foreign substances: lymphocytes (B cells, T cells, NK cells) are central to adaptive immunity and target pathogens/foreign antigens.
C. To phagocytize damaged cells: phagocytosis is mainly done by macrophages and neutrophils, not lymphocytes.
D. To release substances that initiate blood clots: platelets and clotting factor pathways initiate clotting; lymphocytes do not.
Similar Questions
Grant has a condition in which his immune system has attacked and destroyed his thyroid gland. This is an example of a(n)
A. autoimmune disease
autoimmune disease: when the immune system targets the body’s own tissues (e.g., Hashimoto thyroiditis), it is classified as an autoimmune disease.
B. tissue rejection reaction
tissue rejection reaction: tissue rejection refers to immune attack against a transplanted (non-self) organ, not the person’s own tissue.
C. secondary immune response
secondary immune response: a secondary immune response refers to the heightened response on re-exposure to an antigen (memory response), not self-destruction of an organ.
D. type IV hypersensitivity
type IV hypersensitivity: some autoimmune diseases involve cell-mediated (type IV) mechanisms, but autoimmune disease is the broader correct classification; not all autoimmune thyroid destruction is exclusively type IV.
Full Explanation
A. autoimmune disease: when the immune system targets the body’s own tissues (e.g., Hashimoto thyroiditis), it is classified as an autoimmune disease.
B. tissue rejection reaction: tissue rejection refers to immune attack against a transplanted (non-self) organ, not the person’s own tissue.
C. secondary immune response: a secondary immune response refers to the heightened response on re-exposure to an antigen (memory response), not self-destruction of an organ.
D. type IV hypersensitivity: some autoimmune diseases involve cell-mediated (type IV) mechanisms, but autoimmune disease is the broader correct classification; not all autoimmune thyroid destruction is exclusively type IV.
Which of the following is not a chemical barrier?
A. enzymes
enzymes: many enzymes (e.g., lysozyme in saliva/tears) are chemical barriers to microbes.
B. complement
complement: the complement system is a set of plasma proteins that chemically attack pathogens (a chemical innate defense).
C. interferons
interferons: interferons are signaling proteins that help inhibit viral replication and are considered chemical immune defenses.
D. ciliated epithelium
ciliated epithelium: ciliated epithelium is a physical/mechanical barrier (moves mucus and trapped particles), not a chemical barrier.
Full Explanation
A. enzymes: many enzymes (e.g., lysozyme in saliva/tears) are chemical barriers to microbes.
B. complement: the complement system is a set of plasma proteins that chemically attack pathogens (a chemical innate defense).
C. interferons: interferons are signaling proteins that help inhibit viral replication and are considered chemical immune defenses.
D. ciliated epithelium: ciliated epithelium is a physical/mechanical barrier (moves mucus and trapped particles), not a chemical barrier.
The structure of a lymphatic vessel is most similar to that of a(n)
A. arteriole
arteriole: arterioles are small, muscular arteries with thicker walls and no valves; lymphatics are thin-walled and valved.
B. artery
artery: arteries have thick, muscular, elastic walls to withstand high pressure; lymphatic vessels are thin-walled and low-pressure.
C. capillary
capillary: capillaries are tiny single-cell-thick vessels for exchange; lymphatics are larger and have valves.
D. vein
vein: lymphatic vessels have thin walls and valves and operate under low pressure, making them most similar in structure/function to veins.
Full Explanation
A. arteriole: arterioles are small, muscular arteries with thicker walls and no valves; lymphatics are thin-walled and valved.
B. artery: arteries have thick, muscular, elastic walls to withstand high pressure; lymphatic vessels are thin-walled and low-pressure.
C. capillary: capillaries are tiny single-cell-thick vessels for exchange; lymphatics are larger and have valves.
D. vein: lymphatic vessels have thin walls and valves and operate under low pressure, making them most similar in structure/function to veins.