Which laboratory value would the nurse expect in a patient with chronic stress and a reduced cell-mediated immune response to viral infection?

Question

A) Increased natural killer cell activity
B) Reduced CD8+ activity
C) Increased cytotoxic T lymphocyte activity
D) Increased B lymphocyte (CD19+) activity

Answer 1

B) Reduced CD8+ activity

Explanation: A) Natural killer (NK) cells constitute the body's first line of defense against virus infections. These cells are a component of the innate immune system and play a key role in controlling and lysing virus infected cells during the early phase of a viral infection. Greater NK cell numbers and/or greater cytolytic activity increases one's natural resistance to viruses. Chronic stress results in lowered innate and adaptive immune responses in humans and is associated with increased incidence, duration, and severity of infection and decreased survival.
B) Protection against viral infections is also mediated by two arms of the adaptive immune system. One of these is the cell-mediated immune response, which against viral infections is primarily mediated by cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CD8+). The other arm of the adaptive immune system is the humoral immune response by B lymphocytes (CD19+), which produce antibodies. Chronic stress results in lowered innate and adaptive immune responses in humans and is associated with increased incidence, duration, and severity of infection and decreased survival.
C) Protection against viral infections is also mediated by two arms of the adaptive immune system. One of these is the cell-mediated immune response, which against viral infections is primarily mediated by cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CD8+). The other arm of the adaptive immune system is the humoral immune response by B lymphocytes (CD19+), which produce antibodies. Chronic stress results in lowered innate and adaptive immune responses in humans and is associated with increased incidence, duration, and severity of infection and decreased survival.
D) Protection against viral infections is also mediated by two arms of the adaptive immune system. One of these is the cell-mediated immune response, which against viral infections is primarily mediated by cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CD8+). The other arm of the adaptive immune system is the humoral immune response by B lymphocytes (CD19+), which produce antibodies. Chronic stress results in lowered innate and adaptive immune responses in humans and is associated with increased incidence, duration, and severity of infection and decreased survival.