Practice Question
How does HIV primarily affect the immune system?
Answer Choices:
Correct Answer:
By destroying CD4+T cells.
Rationale:
🔷HIV primarily targets CD4+ T lymphocytes, which are essential for cell-mediated immunity and coordinating immune responses.
🔷The virus attaches to the CD4 receptor and co-receptors (CCR5 or CXCR4) to enter and replicate inside these cells.
🔷Over time, progressive depletion of CD4+ T cells weakens the body’s ability to fight opportunistic infections and certain cancers.
🔷A normal CD4+ count ranges from 500–1,500 cells/µL, but in HIV infection, this number steadily declines, leading to immune system collapse if untreated.
🔷This destruction is the hallmark of progression from HIV infection to AIDS, marked by a CD4+ count below 200 cells/µL or the presence of specific opportunistic illnesses.
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This question is from Custom~Final N22- SECTION II which contains 62 questions.
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Question Details
- Category: RN Nursing Exam(s)
- Subcategory: ATI Exam(s)
- Domain: RN Custom Exam(s)
- Answer Choices: 4