A family of five checks into an urgent care center with symptoms of the flu. Which members of the family are at increased risk of significant complications? (Select all that apply.)

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: Influenza poses greater risks to individuals with compromised immune systems, chronic illnesses, or developmental vulnerabilities. The grandmother with COPD faces heightened risk due to her chronic respiratory condition, which impairs lung function and makes flu complications like pneumonia more likely. The father with HIV has a weakened immune system, increasing susceptibility to severe flu outcomes. The newborn baby girl, with an immature immune system, is also at high risk, as infants under six months cannot receive the flu vaccine and struggle to fight infections. The mother with anemia, while possibly fatigued, does not have a condition that inherently heightens flu complication risks to the same degree. The 8-year-old boy, assuming no chronic conditions, is less vulnerable. The nurse must identify those most likely to suffer severe outcomes here, the grandmother, father, and newborn based on their health status and age-related vulnerabilities, ensuring they receive prioritized care and monitoring.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: Effective teaching means the patient understands the influenza vaccine (injectable form) is an inactivated virus, unable to cause flu but possibly triggering mild cold-like symptoms (e.g., soreness, low fever) from immune activation. This reflects accurate knowledge unlike the live nasal spray, the shot doesn't infect, and side effects are transient, not illness. Believing it's live and causes 4–7 days of sickness misinterprets the shot's nature. Vaccines prevent, not cure, flu, so that's incorrect. Annual vaccination is recommended due to strain changes, contradicting last year's shot sufficing. The provider confirms comprehension when the patient grasps the vaccine's mechanism and mild effects, ensuring informed acceptance and adherence, critical for public health protection against evolving flu viruses.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The nurse explains that viscous mucus secretions trap influenza viruses in the respiratory tract, while local immunologic defenses antibodies and inflammation neutralize them at entry, forming the body's first line against flu. This response, causing symptoms like swelling, limits viral spread before systemic immunity kicks in. Lowering body temperature isn't a defense fever helps fight viruses. Antihistamines aren't naturally released, and catecholamines don't target flu. Coughing clears mucus, but antidiuretic hormone inhibition relates to hydration, not defense. This accurate info highlights mucus and local immunity's protective roles, educating the client on innate barriers, enhancing understanding of flu resistance and symptom origins.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Neutrophils and macrophages accumulate in alveoli due to smoking (A), likely from nicotine's chemotactic effects'. Choice B is false; heavy smoking clearly causes emphysema (centriacinar). Choice C is incorrect; smoking oxidatively inactivates α₁-antitrypsin, not reduces production, creating a 'functional' deficiency. Choice D is wrong; both neutrophils and macrophages drive emphysema, not macrophages alone. Page 721 confirms A's inflammatory cell influx, with oxidants tipping the protease-antiprotease balance, distinguishing it over B's denial or C's mechanism error.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: Inhaled allergens elicit a T_H2-dominated response favoring IgE production (C) in extrinsic asthma. Choice A is true; IgE cross-linking releases mediators (e.g., histamine) opening tight junctions. Choice B is false; it's Type I hypersensitivity (IgE-mediated), not Type II (antibody-cell). Choice D is incorrect; major basic protein (eosinophil-derived) damages epithelium, not inhibits. Choice E (antigen penetration) follows A. Page 725 (Fig 15-11) confirms C's T_H2 role IL-4/IL-13 drive IgE, distinguishing it over B's type error or D's protective claim.