NCLEX : Other Immune Physiology

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for NCLEX

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Example Questions

Example Question #291 : General Biology

Which of the following cell counts is particularly diminished in patients with AIDS, and is used to measure disease extent?

Possible Answers:

Monocytes

CD8 T-cells

Neutrophils

Platelets

CD4 T-cells

Correct answer:

CD4 T-cells

Explanation:

The correct answer is "CD4 T-cells." 

In AIDS, which is the most progressed stage of HIV, the cell type that is most significantly diminished is CD4 T-cells. Often times, the degree of disease progress of HIV and AIDS is established by monitoring the patient's CD4 T-cell count across the course of the illness. The CD4 count guides differential diagnoses when patients with HIV or AIDS present with various complaints, and also guides what prophylactic measures (e.g. antibiotics, antifungals) are administered to these patients. 

While CD8 T-cell, monocyte, platelet, and neutrophil counts may each be decreased for various reasons in patients with HIV and AIDS, the most substantial association between diminished cell count and HIV/AIDS is that of CD4 T-cells.

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