Innate immunity responds rapidly and does not require prior exposure to a pathogen.
Correct Answer
True
True. Innate defenses such as skin, mucous membranes, neutrophils and macrophages act within minutes to hours against any invader, while adaptive immunity takes days to develop on first exposure.
Category: Immune Response
Question 2
Immunologic memory is a feature of innate immunity.
Correct Answer
False
False. Memory is a feature of adaptive immunity, in which memory B and T cells allow a faster, stronger response when the same antigen returns.
Category: Immune Response
Question 3
Helper T cells release cytokines that stimulate B cells and cytotoxic T cells.
Correct Answer
True
True. CD4 helper T cells coordinate the adaptive response, and their cytokines activate both antibody production and cell killing.
Category: Immune Response
Question 4
Antibodies are produced by T lymphocytes.
Correct Answer
False
False. Antibodies are made by B lymphocytes that have become plasma cells. T lymphocytes carry out cell-mediated immunity.
Category: Immune Response
Question 5
The hepatitis B vaccine is a live attenuated vaccine.
Correct Answer
False
False. The hepatitis B vaccine is a recombinant subunit vaccine that contains only a viral surface protein, so it cannot cause infection.
Category: Vaccines
Question 6
An inactivated vaccine cannot cause the infection it protects against because its pathogen cannot replicate.
Correct Answer
True
True. Inactivated vaccines contain killed organisms, so they are safe for people with weakened immunity, though they often need boosters.
Category: Vaccines
Question 7
Long-term glucocorticoid therapy increases bone density.
Correct Answer
False
False. Long-term glucocorticoids reduce bone formation and calcium absorption, which leads to osteoporosis and fracture risk.
Category: Immunosuppressants
Question 8
Azathioprine increases the risk of malignancies such as lymphoma.
Correct Answer
True
True. Azathioprine carries a boxed warning for malignancy, including lymphoma, because chronic immunosuppression reduces the body's surveillance against cancer cells.
Category: Immunosuppressants
Question 9
TNF inhibitors lower the risk of reactivating latent tuberculosis.
Correct Answer
False
False. TNF inhibitors raise the risk of reactivating latent tuberculosis, so patients are screened before treatment and watched for infection.
Category: Biologics
Question 10
Generic names of monoclonal antibodies end in the suffix mab.
Correct Answer
True
True. The ending mab identifies a monoclonal antibody, as in adalimumab, infliximab, rituximab and bevacizumab.
Category: Biologics
Question 11
Biologic drugs are made by chemical synthesis rather than from living cells.
Correct Answer
False
False. Biologics are produced in living systems such as cells, using biotechnology, which is why they are large, complex and usually given by injection or infusion.
Category: Biologics
Question 12
Pegfilgrastim stimulates the bone marrow to produce neutrophils.
Correct Answer
True
True. Pegfilgrastim is a long-acting granulocyte colony-stimulating factor given to reduce neutropenia after myelosuppressive chemotherapy. Bone pain is a common adverse effect.
Category: Biologics
Question 13
Pallor and coolness of the skin are cardinal signs of inflammation.
Correct Answer
False
False. The cardinal signs of inflammation are redness, heat, swelling, pain and loss of function. Redness and heat come from vasodilation and increased blood flow.
Category: Inflammation
Question 14
Histamine released by mast cells causes vasodilation and increased capillary permeability.
Correct Answer
True
True. Histamine widens blood vessels and makes them leaky, so fluid and proteins enter the tissue and cause redness and swelling.
Category: Inflammation
Question 15
The antiplatelet effect of low-dose aspirin comes from reversible inhibition of COX-1.
Correct Answer
False
False. Aspirin inhibits COX-1 in platelets irreversibly, so the effect lasts for the life of the platelet. Other NSAIDs inhibit COX reversibly.
Category: Anti-inflammatory Drugs
Question 16
Prescription NSAIDs other than aspirin carry a boxed warning for an increased risk of heart attack and stroke.
Correct Answer
True
True. The FDA boxed warning for nonaspirin NSAIDs covers serious cardiovascular thrombotic events and serious gastrointestinal bleeding, ulceration and perforation. Aspirin does not carry the cardiovascular warning and is used to help prevent heart attack and stroke.
Category: Anti-inflammatory Drugs
Question 17
Methotrexate is safe to use during pregnancy for rheumatoid arthritis.
Correct Answer
False
False. Methotrexate can cause fetal death and birth defects and is contraindicated in pregnancy when used for nonmalignant conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis.
Category: Anti-inflammatory Drugs
Question 18
Hydroxychloroquine can cause retinopathy, so patients taking it need regular eye examinations.
Correct Answer
True
True. Hydroxychloroquine can damage the retina and cause visual changes, so baseline and periodic eye exams are part of monitoring.
Category: Anti-inflammatory Drugs
Question 19
Patients taking probenecid should limit fluid intake to protect the kidneys.
Correct Answer
False
False. Probenecid increases uric acid in the urine, so patients should drink plenty of fluid to help prevent uric acid kidney stones.
Category: Antigout Drugs
Question 20
Grapefruit juice increases the risk of colchicine toxicity.
Correct Answer
True
True. Grapefruit inhibits CYP3A4, the enzyme that breaks down colchicine, so levels can rise and cause toxicity. Patients are taught to avoid grapefruit while taking it.
Category: Antigout Drugs