Medical Surgical Immune and Infectious Quiz
Questions: 16 · 10 minutes
1. Which laboratory value most directly estimates a patient's circulating neutrophil defense against bacterial and fungal infection?
International normalized ratio (INR)
Hemoglobin concentration
Serum albumin level
Absolute neutrophil count (ANC)
2. After caring for a patient with suspected Clostridioides difficile diarrhea, which hand-hygiene approach is most appropriate after removing gloves?
Use alcohol hand rub because it reliably destroys bacterial spores.
Rinse with sterile water because ordinary soap can spread spores.
Wash thoroughly with soap and water because mechanical washing helps remove spores.
Skip hand hygiene if the gloves remained intact throughout care.
3. A patient receiving chemotherapy calls the unit. Which report most strongly warrants prompt assessment for a possible serious infection?
Gradual hair loss without scalp redness
Mild fatigue that improves after resting
A temporary metallic taste after treatment
A new fever with chills and feeling suddenly unwell
4. Two days after surgery, a patient becomes confused and tachypneic, with fever and falling blood pressure. What is the best interpretation of this pattern?
It suggests systemic deterioration from possible infection and requires rapid escalation.
It indicates a localized wound issue that can wait until the next dressing change.
It is an expected response to routine postoperative discomfort.
It most likely reflects normal sleep disruption after surgery.
5. Several days after an organ transplant, a recipient develops graft dysfunction associated with lymphocyte activity against donor tissue. Which process best explains this finding?
The graft is producing antibodies against the recipient's red blood cells.
The recipient has developed normal immune tolerance to donor antigens.
The recipient's immune system is recognizing donor antigens and attacking the graft.
The transplanted organ is strengthening the recipient's innate immunity.
6. A central venous catheter dressing becomes damp and begins lifting at one edge. What is the most appropriate response?
Replace it promptly using aseptic technique and assess the insertion site.
Reinforce the loose edge and leave the damp dressing until the scheduled change.
Remove the dressing permanently so the insertion site can air-dry.
Apply topical antibiotic over the dressing without inspecting the site.
7. A person develops long-lasting immune memory after completing a vaccination series. What type of immunity does this illustrate?
Natural passive immunity
Artificial active immunity
Innate immunity
Artificial passive immunity
8. A patient develops widespread hives, wheezing, and low blood pressure minutes after receiving an antibiotic. Which medication is the first-line treatment for this presentation?
An oral antihistamine alone
An inhaled corticosteroid alone
Intramuscular epinephrine
An intravenous antibiotic from another class
9. A patient with an uncomplicated viral upper respiratory infection asks why an antibiotic was not prescribed. Which explanation is most accurate?
Antibiotics target bacteria, not viruses, and unnecessary use can contribute to adverse effects and resistance.
Antibiotics shorten every viral illness but are reserved for hospitalized patients.
Antibiotics work against viruses only after symptoms have lasted several days.
Antibiotics prevent viral transmission but do not change symptoms.
10. Which combination is appropriate when caring for a patient with suspected infectious pulmonary tuberculosis?
Droplet precautions, a surgical mask, and a shared room with curtain separation
Airborne precautions, a fit-tested respirator, and an airborne infection isolation room
Contact precautions, sterile gloves, and a positive-pressure room
Standard precautions alone until a sputum result confirms tuberculosis
11. Which immune cells are the principal targets of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)?
CD4 T lymphocytes
Erythrocytes
Platelets
Neutrophils
12. Which statement best describes standard precautions in medical-surgical care?
They apply only when contact with visible blood is expected.
They are required only when a patient has a confirmed infectious diagnosis.
They replace transmission-based precautions for infections with known routes.
They are used for every patient, with additional precautions selected when indicated.
13. A patient develops hives, wheezing, and facial swelling within minutes of receiving penicillin. Which hypersensitivity mechanism best matches this rapid response?
Immune-complex deposition associated with type III hypersensitivity
IgE-mediated immediate hypersensitivity associated with type I reactions
Antibody-mediated cellular injury associated with type II hypersensitivity
T-cell-mediated delayed inflammation associated with type IV hypersensitivity
14. Which assessment finding most strongly supports a localized inflammatory response at a surgical incision?
Cool, pale skin surrounding a painless incision
Equal skin temperature and color on both sides of the incision
Stable appetite with mild generalized fatigue
Increasing warmth, redness, swelling, and tenderness around the incision
15. A clinician uses the same stethoscope for several patients. Which action most directly interrupts indirect contact transmission through that equipment?
Wearing a surgical mask while using the stethoscope
Disinfecting the stethoscope between patients according to facility protocol
Using hand lotion before each patient examination
Keeping the stethoscope in a uniform pocket between examinations
16. Blood cultures and intravenous antibiotics are ordered for a patient with suspected bloodstream infection. If collection can occur promptly without delaying urgent treatment, what is the preferred sequence?
Begin antibiotics and collect cultures only if symptoms persist.
Wait for imaging results before collecting cultures or giving antibiotics.
Collect the ordered cultures first, then start antibiotics promptly.
Give one antibiotic dose, discard the next blood sample, and culture the third.