NR 283 Unit 2 Pre-Class Questions
(Chapters 5, 6, 7, & 20)
*Make sure that you understand all of the terms you are studying, if you don’t know what a term means, look it up before you continue
studying. Take your thinking a step further by asking yourself “why” as you are reviewing material. This will lead to understanding of the
material versus memorization which will better help you answer questions.
*Ensure that you understand all highlighted terms in each chapter
* Answer the question and supplemental questions included with the original question
Chapter 5: Inflammation and Healing
1. List and describe each of the 3 body defense mechanisms:
a. 1st line – mechanical barriers: unbroken skin and mucous membranes, secretions such as tears
and gastric juices.
b. 2nd line – nonspecific mechanisms: phagocytosis, inflammation
c. 3rd line – specific defense: production of specific antibodies or cell-mediated immunity.
2. What is the definition of inflammation? A normal defense mechanism in the body and is intended to
localize and remove an injurious agent. The bodies nonspecific response to tissue injury, resulting in
redness, swelling, warmth, pain, and sometimes loss of function.
3. What are possible causes of inflammation? Direct physical damage, caustic chemicals, ischemia or
infarction, allergic reaction, extremes of hot or cold, foreign bodies, infection.
4. Why is inflammation helpful to the body? It’s the body’s way of signaling the immune system to heal
and repair damaged tissue, as well as defend itself against foreign invaders, such as viruses/bacteria.
5. Which cells phagocytize bacteria and microbes? Neutrophils and macrophages.
6. Overall, what is the role of chemical mediators in inflammation? They affect blood vessels and nerves in
the damaged areas.
a. What is cytokines specific role? Serve as communicators in the tissue fluids, sending messages to
lymphocytes and macrophages, the immune system, or the hypothalamus to induce fever.
b. How do anti-inflammatory drugs work to reduce inflammation? They reduce the production of
prostaglandins, and those are the chemicals that promote inflammation, pain, and fever,
7. Why does vasoconstriction happen immediately, but then vasodilation occurs?
Nerve reflexes at the site of the injury cause immediate transient vasoconstriction, then the
rapid release of chemical mediators result in vasodilation (relaxation of smooth muscle causing
an increase in the diameter of arterioles.)
8. What are the cardinal signs of local inflammation & what causes each one?
Redness (rubor or erythema), heat, swelling, and pain
Redness and warmth are caused by increased blood flow into the damaged area.
Swelling is caused by shift of protein and fluid into the interstitial space
, NR 283 Unit 2 Pre-Class Questions
Pain results from increased pressure of fluid on nerves, especially in enclosed areas, and the
local irritation of nerves by chemical mediators.
9. Describe the different types of exudate and common examples:
a. Serous: watery, consists primarily of fluid, some proteins, and WBC. Ex) allergic rxn or burns.
b. Fibrinous: thick, sticky, high cell and fibrin content. Ex) increases risk of scar tissue
c. Purulent: thick, yellow-green, contains more leukocytes, cell debris, microorganisms. (Pus)
d. Abscess: localized pocket of purulent exudate or pus in a solid tissue. Ex) around tooth or brain
e. Hemorrhage : may be present if blood vessels have been damaged.
10. What are the systemic signs of inflammation? Mild fever (pyrexia), malaise, fatigue, headache, anorexia.
a. What causes a fever? Release of pyrogens, or fever producing substances (interleukin-1) from
WBC or macrophages.
b. Why are fevers beneficial? It impairs the growth and reproduction of a pathogenic organism.
c. Where is the thermostat in the brain? Hypothalamus.
d. Why do we shiver, cover up, and become pale when we have a fever? Increase cell metabolism,
reduces heat loss from the body, and conserve heat.
11. Why would we do a complete blood count and include differential?
Provides a helpful screening and monitoring information when a problem is suspected or during
treatment. A differential count may be helpful in distinguishing viral from bacterial infection.
12. What 6 lab levels will increase when there is inflammation in the body?
Leukocytosis, differential count, plasma proteins, C-reactive protein, increased erythrocyte
sedimentation rate, and cell enzymes.
13. Describe the potential complications of acute inflammation:
a. Local complications: depend on site of inflammation, for example, inflammation in the lungs
may impair the expansion of the lungs, decreasing the diffusion of oxygen. Inflammation in
joints can affect range of movement.
b. Infection: may develop in an inflamed tissue because microorganisms can more easily penetrate
when skin or mucosa is damaged and the blood supply is impaired.
c. Skeletal muscle spasms: strong muscle contractions may be initiated by inflammation resulting
from musculoskeletal injuries such as sprains, tendinitis, or fractures.
14. What is a granuloma and why does it happen during chronic inflammation?
A small mass of cells with a necrotic center and covered by connective tissue, may develop
around a foreign object such as a splinter or a part of the immune response in some infections.
(Chapters 5, 6, 7, & 20)
*Make sure that you understand all of the terms you are studying, if you don’t know what a term means, look it up before you continue
studying. Take your thinking a step further by asking yourself “why” as you are reviewing material. This will lead to understanding of the
material versus memorization which will better help you answer questions.
*Ensure that you understand all highlighted terms in each chapter
* Answer the question and supplemental questions included with the original question
Chapter 5: Inflammation and Healing
1. List and describe each of the 3 body defense mechanisms:
a. 1st line – mechanical barriers: unbroken skin and mucous membranes, secretions such as tears
and gastric juices.
b. 2nd line – nonspecific mechanisms: phagocytosis, inflammation
c. 3rd line – specific defense: production of specific antibodies or cell-mediated immunity.
2. What is the definition of inflammation? A normal defense mechanism in the body and is intended to
localize and remove an injurious agent. The bodies nonspecific response to tissue injury, resulting in
redness, swelling, warmth, pain, and sometimes loss of function.
3. What are possible causes of inflammation? Direct physical damage, caustic chemicals, ischemia or
infarction, allergic reaction, extremes of hot or cold, foreign bodies, infection.
4. Why is inflammation helpful to the body? It’s the body’s way of signaling the immune system to heal
and repair damaged tissue, as well as defend itself against foreign invaders, such as viruses/bacteria.
5. Which cells phagocytize bacteria and microbes? Neutrophils and macrophages.
6. Overall, what is the role of chemical mediators in inflammation? They affect blood vessels and nerves in
the damaged areas.
a. What is cytokines specific role? Serve as communicators in the tissue fluids, sending messages to
lymphocytes and macrophages, the immune system, or the hypothalamus to induce fever.
b. How do anti-inflammatory drugs work to reduce inflammation? They reduce the production of
prostaglandins, and those are the chemicals that promote inflammation, pain, and fever,
7. Why does vasoconstriction happen immediately, but then vasodilation occurs?
Nerve reflexes at the site of the injury cause immediate transient vasoconstriction, then the
rapid release of chemical mediators result in vasodilation (relaxation of smooth muscle causing
an increase in the diameter of arterioles.)
8. What are the cardinal signs of local inflammation & what causes each one?
Redness (rubor or erythema), heat, swelling, and pain
Redness and warmth are caused by increased blood flow into the damaged area.
Swelling is caused by shift of protein and fluid into the interstitial space
, NR 283 Unit 2 Pre-Class Questions
Pain results from increased pressure of fluid on nerves, especially in enclosed areas, and the
local irritation of nerves by chemical mediators.
9. Describe the different types of exudate and common examples:
a. Serous: watery, consists primarily of fluid, some proteins, and WBC. Ex) allergic rxn or burns.
b. Fibrinous: thick, sticky, high cell and fibrin content. Ex) increases risk of scar tissue
c. Purulent: thick, yellow-green, contains more leukocytes, cell debris, microorganisms. (Pus)
d. Abscess: localized pocket of purulent exudate or pus in a solid tissue. Ex) around tooth or brain
e. Hemorrhage : may be present if blood vessels have been damaged.
10. What are the systemic signs of inflammation? Mild fever (pyrexia), malaise, fatigue, headache, anorexia.
a. What causes a fever? Release of pyrogens, or fever producing substances (interleukin-1) from
WBC or macrophages.
b. Why are fevers beneficial? It impairs the growth and reproduction of a pathogenic organism.
c. Where is the thermostat in the brain? Hypothalamus.
d. Why do we shiver, cover up, and become pale when we have a fever? Increase cell metabolism,
reduces heat loss from the body, and conserve heat.
11. Why would we do a complete blood count and include differential?
Provides a helpful screening and monitoring information when a problem is suspected or during
treatment. A differential count may be helpful in distinguishing viral from bacterial infection.
12. What 6 lab levels will increase when there is inflammation in the body?
Leukocytosis, differential count, plasma proteins, C-reactive protein, increased erythrocyte
sedimentation rate, and cell enzymes.
13. Describe the potential complications of acute inflammation:
a. Local complications: depend on site of inflammation, for example, inflammation in the lungs
may impair the expansion of the lungs, decreasing the diffusion of oxygen. Inflammation in
joints can affect range of movement.
b. Infection: may develop in an inflamed tissue because microorganisms can more easily penetrate
when skin or mucosa is damaged and the blood supply is impaired.
c. Skeletal muscle spasms: strong muscle contractions may be initiated by inflammation resulting
from musculoskeletal injuries such as sprains, tendinitis, or fractures.
14. What is a granuloma and why does it happen during chronic inflammation?
A small mass of cells with a necrotic center and covered by connective tissue, may develop
around a foreign object such as a splinter or a part of the immune response in some infections.
