Nursing Elites

1. Which term should the nurse use to document a situation in which cells increase in size and function?

• A. Atrophy
• B. Hypertrophy
• C. Metaplasia
• D. Hyperplasia

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Hypertrophy is the correct term used to describe the situation in which cells increase in size and function. Atrophy (Choice A) is the opposite, indicating a decrease in cell size. Metaplasia (Choice C) refers to the reversible replacement of one mature cell type by another. Hyperplasia (Choice D) involves an increase in the number of cells, not just an increase in size and function as in hypertrophy.

2. When planning care for a cardiac patient, the nurse knows that in response to an increased workload, cardiac myocardial cells will:

• A. Increase in size
• B. Decrease in length
• C. Increase in excitability
• D. Increase in number

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Increase in size. Cardiac hypertrophy occurs when myocardial cells increase in size to compensate for an increased workload. This adaptation allows the heart to pump more effectively. Choice B, Decrease in length, is incorrect as cardiac cells do not decrease in length in response to increased workload. Choice C, Increase in excitability, is incorrect as increased workload does not lead to an increase in excitability of cardiac cells. Choice D, Increase in number, is incorrect as cardiac cells do not increase in number but rather increase in size to handle the increased workload.

3. Prior to leaving on a backpacking trip to Southeast Asia, a college student has received a tetanus booster shot. This immunization confers protection by way of what immune process?

• A. Passive natural immunity
• B. Active natural immunity
• C. Passive artificial immunity
• D. Active artificial immunity

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D: Active artificial immunity. A tetanus booster shot confers protection through active artificial immunity. Active immunity involves the body producing its antibodies in response to an antigen, providing long-lasting protection. In this case, the tetanus booster shot triggers the student's immune system to produce specific antibodies against tetanus toxins. Choices A, B, and C are incorrect because passive immunity does not involve the individual's immune system producing antibodies; instead, it involves the direct transfer of antibodies from another source (natural or artificial) for immediate, but temporary, protection.

4. A person is given an attenuated antigen as a vaccine. When the person asks what was given in the vaccine, how should the nurse respond? The antigen is:

• A. Alive, but less infectious
• B. Mutated, but highly infectious
• C. Normal, but not infectious
• D. Inactive, but infectious

Correct answer: A

Rationale: An attenuated antigen used in a vaccine is alive but less infectious, aiming to stimulate an immune response. Choice B is incorrect because an attenuated antigen is not highly infectious. Choice C is incorrect as the antigen is intentionally altered to be less infectious. Choice D is incorrect as an attenuated antigen is not infectious.

5. A child is experiencing difficulty with chewing and swallowing. The nurse knows that which cells may be innervating specialized gut-related receptors that provide taste and smell?

• A. Special somatic afferent fibers
• B. General somatic afferents
• C. Special visceral afferent cells
• D. General visceral afferent neurons

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: Special visceral afferent cells. These cells are responsible for innervating taste and smell receptors related to the gut. Special somatic afferent fibers (choice A) are involved in sensations like touch and proprioception, not taste and smell. General somatic afferents (choice B) carry sensory information from the skin and musculoskeletal system, not taste and smell. General visceral afferent neurons (choice D) transmit sensory information from internal organs, but not specifically related to taste and smell sensations.

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