NCLEX : Endocrine and Immune Systems

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for NCLEX

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Example Questions

Example Question #581 : Nclex

Which of the following is the only immunoglobulin capable of crossing the placenta and conferring passive immunity to a fetus?

Possible Answers:

IgG

IgE

IgM

IgA

Correct answer:

IgG

Explanation:

The only immunoglobulin that has been shown to be able to cross the placenta is IgG. This is important in that it confers short term immunity to the fetus that continues into the first few months of the infant's life. Note that it is common to give Rh-negative anti-Rh IgG injections at about 28 weeks gestation; a booster may also be given at about 34 weeks gestation.

Example Question #581 : Nclex

Which cells of the pancreas produce insulin?

Possible Answers:

Beta cells

Gamma cells

Alpha cells

Delta cells

Correct answer:

Beta cells

Explanation:

Insulin is produced by beta cells of the pancreatic islets. Insulin's action is to decrease blood glucose, facilitating its uptake into cells. Alpha cells produce glucagon, which has the opposite effect as insulin. Delta cells produce somatostatin, which inhibits many digestive processes. and gamma cells produce pancreatic polypeptide, which regulate pancreatic secretion. 

Example Question #582 : Nclex

Where in the human body is the pituitary located? 

Possible Answers:

Above the kidneys

Under the hypothalamus

Attached to the pancreas

In the brainstem

Behind the thyroid

Correct answer:

Under the hypothalamus

Explanation:

The pituitary is located just below the hypothalamus. The pituitary and the hypothalamus are connected by nerves and maintain an important working relationship with one another. Both are located near the base of the brain. 

Example Question #281 : General Biology

Which of the following cytokines acts as a chemoattractant for neutrophils?

Possible Answers:

Interleukin-6

Tumor necrosis factor-alpha

Interleukin-8

Interleukin-1

Correct answer:

Interleukin-8

Explanation:

Interleukins (IL) are cytokines that play a role in signaling the immune cells. IL-8 is produced mainly by macrophage and dendritic cells and plays a major role in inflammation as a chemoattractant for neutrophils. IL-1 and IL-6 both induce acute phase proteins. TNF-alpha is involved in the acute phase reaction. It is an endogenous pyrogen (meaning it induces fever) and is also involved in apoptosis and tumor inhibition. 

Example Question #21 : Endocrine And Immune Systems

What antibacterial proteins are contained in tears?

Possible Answers:

Lysozymes

Cathelicidin

DEFA1

Defensin-5

Correct answer:

Lysozymes

Explanation:

Lysozymes are a group of defense enzymes found in tears, saliva, mucus, and breast milk. It is considered part of our innate immune systems, as its presence in tears prevents infectious conjunctivitis. Cathelicidin, Defensin-5, and DEFA1 are found in the lysosomes of polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN's) and macrophages.

Example Question #2 : Other Immune Physiology

All of the following cells express major histocompatibility complex 1 (MHC-1) except __________.

Possible Answers:

Hepatic cells

Epithelial cells

Red blood cells

Neutrophils

Correct answer:

Red blood cells

Explanation:

Major histocompatibility complex 1 in a membrane protein that binds to peptide fragments from pathogens such as viruses and bacteria and then displays them on the cell surface in order to alert other immune cells of the presence and nature of infection.

All cells with nuclei express MHC-1. Red blood cells do not have nuclei, and do not express MHC-1 on membranes.

Example Question #583 : Nclex

Which of the following cells produce antibodies?

Possible Answers:

All of these

Natural killer cells

B cells

T cells

Correct answer:

B cells

Explanation:

Antibodies are only produced by B cells, specifically by a type of specialized B cell called a plasma cell. B cells belong to a broader category of leukocytes known as lymphocytes, which are agranulocytes.

Example Question #1 : Other Immune Physiology

In what tissue do T lymphocytes mature?

Possible Answers:

The thymus 

The bone marrow

The liver

The spleen

Correct answer:

The thymus 

Explanation:

T lymphocytes are so titled because they mature in the thymus, unlike B lymphocytes, which mature in the bone marrow. The thymus is located in the anterior superior mediastinum, ventral to the heart and dorsal to the sternum. It is most active in the neonatal and pre-adolescent periods, afterwards, it degenerates and is replaced with adipose tissue. 

Example Question #2 : Other Immune Physiology

Lymphoid progenitors are produced in which of the following tissues?

Possible Answers:

The liver

All of these

Gut associated lymphoid tissue (GALT)

The bone marrow

Correct answer:

All of these

Explanation:

Lymphoid progenitor cells are produced in all of the following tissues: the liver, the bone marrow, spleen, and gut associated lymphoid tissue (mainly found in the liver and intestines). However, note that the vast majority of all blood cells are produced in the red bone marrow of long bones by hematopoietic stem cells. 

Example Question #3 : Other Immune Physiology

Which immune cell is specialized for immunity against multicellular parasites?

Possible Answers:

Monocytes

Basophils

Natural killer cells

Eosinophils

Correct answer:

Eosinophils

Explanation:

While all of the cells listed may have some indirect involvement in the overall response to a parasitic infection, eosinophils are the only immune cells that are specialized to respond to multicellular parasites, especially helminths such as hookworms and pinworms. 

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