The parent of an adolescent tells the nurse that her adolescent child is experiencing an increase in colds over the last months. The nurse realizes that this patient might be experiencing:

Question

1. The result of an incompetent thymus gland during infancy and childhood.
2. Poor personal hygiene.
3. Inadequate intake of nutrients.
4. Stress-related illnesses.

Answer 1

The result of an incompetent thymus gland during infancy and childhood.

Rationale: The thymus contributes to immune development because it generates mature immunocompetent T lymphocytes during infancy and childhood. By puberty, the thymus atrophies and is replaced by adipose tissue. The adolescent's thymus gland is atrophying, which means he might not have developed sufficient T cells during infancy and childhood. There is no evidence to suggest the adolescent has poor personal hygiene, has an inadequate intake of nutrients, or is experiencing stress-related illnesses.