NURS 611: Advanced Pathophysiology - Inflammation & Immune
Response 2026 |Maryville
1. Which cytokine is primarily responsible for the induction of the acute-phase
response, including the stimulation of the liver to produce C-reactive protein?
A. Interleukin-1 (IL-1)
B. Interferon-gamma (IFN-γ)
C. Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha (TNF-α)
D. Interleukin-6 (IL-6)
Answer: D
Rationale: While IL-1 and TNF-α contribute, IL-6 is the chief stimulator of the production
of most acute-phase proteins by the liver.
2. Which complement component is specifically responsible for the formation of
the Membrane Attack Complex (MAC)?
A. C1-C4
B. C3a and C5a
C. C5b-C9
D. C3b
Answer: C
Rationale: The MAC is composed of C5b, C6, C7, C8, and multiple C9 molecules, which form
a pore in the target cell membrane.
,3. In the context of leukocyte extravasation, which molecules mediate the initial
‘rolling’ of leukocytes along the endothelial surface?
A. Selectins
B. Integrins
C. ICAM-1
D. PECAM-1
Answer: A
Rationale: Selectins (P-selectin and E-selectin) mediate the weak, transient interactions
that cause rolling. Integrins mediate firm adhesion.
4. A patient presents with a Type III hypersensitivity reaction. What is the
underlying pathophysiological mechanism?
A. IgE-mediated mast cell degranulation
B. Antibody-mediated cellular cytotoxicity
C. Deposition of antigen-antibody complexes in tissues
D. T-cell mediated delayed-type hypersensitivity
Answer: C
Rationale: Type III hypersensitivity involves immune complexes that deposit in vessel
walls or tissues, activating complement and attracting neutrophils.
5. Which HLA class is found on nearly all nucleated cells and presents
endogenous antigens to CD8+ T cells?
A. MHC Class III
B. MHC Class II
C. MHC Class I
D. HLA-DR
Answer: C
Rationale: MHC Class I molecules are expressed on all nucleated cells; MHC Class II is
restricted primarily to professional antigen-presenting cells.
, 6. During chronic inflammation, which cytokine is essential for the
transformation of macrophages into epithelioid cells in granuloma formation?
A. IL-4
B. IFN-γ
C. IL-10
D. TGF-β
Answer: B
Rationale: Interferon-gamma, produced by T cells (Th1), is the major macrophage-
activating cytokine in granulomatous inflammation.
7. What is the primary function of the ‘secretory component’ attached to IgA?
A. To facilitate dimerization of the IgA molecules
B. To trigger the classical complement pathway
C. To bind specifically to mast cells
D. To protect IgA from enzymatic degradation in mucosal secretions
Answer: D
Rationale: The secretory component protects dimeric IgA from proteolysis as it travels
across epithelial cells into the lumen of various tracts.
8. Which enzyme converts arachidonic acid into leukotrienes, which are potent
bronchoconstrictors?
A. Cyclooxygenase-1
B. Cyclooxygenase-2
C. Phospholipase A2
D. 5-Lipoxygenase
Answer: D
Rationale: The lipoxygenase pathway leads to the production of leukotrienes, while the
cyclooxygenase pathway leads to prostaglandins.
Response 2026 |Maryville
1. Which cytokine is primarily responsible for the induction of the acute-phase
response, including the stimulation of the liver to produce C-reactive protein?
A. Interleukin-1 (IL-1)
B. Interferon-gamma (IFN-γ)
C. Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha (TNF-α)
D. Interleukin-6 (IL-6)
Answer: D
Rationale: While IL-1 and TNF-α contribute, IL-6 is the chief stimulator of the production
of most acute-phase proteins by the liver.
2. Which complement component is specifically responsible for the formation of
the Membrane Attack Complex (MAC)?
A. C1-C4
B. C3a and C5a
C. C5b-C9
D. C3b
Answer: C
Rationale: The MAC is composed of C5b, C6, C7, C8, and multiple C9 molecules, which form
a pore in the target cell membrane.
,3. In the context of leukocyte extravasation, which molecules mediate the initial
‘rolling’ of leukocytes along the endothelial surface?
A. Selectins
B. Integrins
C. ICAM-1
D. PECAM-1
Answer: A
Rationale: Selectins (P-selectin and E-selectin) mediate the weak, transient interactions
that cause rolling. Integrins mediate firm adhesion.
4. A patient presents with a Type III hypersensitivity reaction. What is the
underlying pathophysiological mechanism?
A. IgE-mediated mast cell degranulation
B. Antibody-mediated cellular cytotoxicity
C. Deposition of antigen-antibody complexes in tissues
D. T-cell mediated delayed-type hypersensitivity
Answer: C
Rationale: Type III hypersensitivity involves immune complexes that deposit in vessel
walls or tissues, activating complement and attracting neutrophils.
5. Which HLA class is found on nearly all nucleated cells and presents
endogenous antigens to CD8+ T cells?
A. MHC Class III
B. MHC Class II
C. MHC Class I
D. HLA-DR
Answer: C
Rationale: MHC Class I molecules are expressed on all nucleated cells; MHC Class II is
restricted primarily to professional antigen-presenting cells.
, 6. During chronic inflammation, which cytokine is essential for the
transformation of macrophages into epithelioid cells in granuloma formation?
A. IL-4
B. IFN-γ
C. IL-10
D. TGF-β
Answer: B
Rationale: Interferon-gamma, produced by T cells (Th1), is the major macrophage-
activating cytokine in granulomatous inflammation.
7. What is the primary function of the ‘secretory component’ attached to IgA?
A. To facilitate dimerization of the IgA molecules
B. To trigger the classical complement pathway
C. To bind specifically to mast cells
D. To protect IgA from enzymatic degradation in mucosal secretions
Answer: D
Rationale: The secretory component protects dimeric IgA from proteolysis as it travels
across epithelial cells into the lumen of various tracts.
8. Which enzyme converts arachidonic acid into leukotrienes, which are potent
bronchoconstrictors?
A. Cyclooxygenase-1
B. Cyclooxygenase-2
C. Phospholipase A2
D. 5-Lipoxygenase
Answer: D
Rationale: The lipoxygenase pathway leads to the production of leukotrienes, while the
cyclooxygenase pathway leads to prostaglandins.
