Free Blood and Immunity MCQs with Answers

40 Blood and Immunity MCQs from Anatomy and Physiology for Nursing, each with the correct answer and a written explanation of why it is correct. Free and unlimited, with no account needed.

Blood and immunity covers plasma, red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets, haemoglobin, blood groups and haemostasis. It explains innate and adaptive defenses, antibodies, lymphocytes, inflammation, vaccination and immune memory, with a distinction between active and passive immunity and between antigen and antibody.

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40 questions · page 2 of 2

  • A. Water
  • B. Albumin
  • C. Fibrinogen
  • D. Electrolytes

Explanation: Water makes up most of plasma and provides the medium for transporting cells, nutrients, hormones and waste products.

Correct answer: Water
  • A. 10 days
  • B. 30 days
  • C. 120 days
  • D. 365 days

Explanation: A normal red blood cell has an average lifespan of about 120 days before it is removed mainly by the spleen and liver.

Correct answer: 120 days
  • A. Helper T cell
  • B. Cytotoxic T cell
  • C. Memory B cell
  • D. Plasma cell

Explanation: Cytotoxic T cells recognize and destroy infected, cancerous or otherwise abnormal cells.

Correct answer: Cytotoxic T cell
  • A. Anti-A only
  • B. Anti-B only
  • C. Anti-A and anti-B
  • D. No ABO antibodies

Explanation: Group O plasma normally contains both anti-A and anti-B antibodies because the red cells have neither A nor B antigen.

Correct answer: Anti-A and anti-B
  • A. A antigen
  • B. B antigen
  • C. D antigen
  • D. H antigen

Explanation: Rh-positive blood has the D antigen on the red blood cell surface. A and B antigens determine the ABO group, whereas H antigen is not the…

Correct answer: D antigen
  • A. Slow the transfusion rate
  • B. Stop the transfusion immediately
  • C. Give the next prescribed unit
  • D. Flush the line with dextrose solution

Explanation: These findings may indicate an acute haemolytic transfusion reaction, so the transfusion must be stopped immediately to prevent further…

Correct answer: Stop the transfusion immediately
  • A. They digest bacteria during the first response
  • B. They produce clotting factors in plasma
  • C. They allow a faster response to a later exposure
  • D. They prevent all microorganisms entering the skin

Explanation: Memory B and T lymphocytes remain after an initial specific immune response and help the body respond more rapidly during later exposure…

Correct answer: They allow a faster response to a later exposure
  • A. Innate immunity
  • B. Passive immunity
  • C. Humoral memory
  • D. Acquired antibody transfer

Explanation: Skin and mucous membranes provide nonspecific barriers that act before exposure to a particular antigen, so they are components of innate…

Correct answer: Innate immunity
  • A. It develops slowly and lasts lifelong
  • B. It uses the patient's memory cells
  • C. It provides immediate temporary protection
  • D. It requires the patient to produce new antibodies first

Explanation: Administered immunoglobulin supplies antibodies directly, giving passive immunity that acts quickly but usually provides temporary…

Correct answer: It provides immediate temporary protection
Fairly easy
  • A. Neutralisation
  • B. Phagocytosis
  • C. Haemopoiesis
  • D. Chemotaxis

Explanation: Neutralisation occurs when an antibody blocks a toxin or microorganism from attaching to or entering host cells.

Correct answer: Neutralisation
  • A. The percentage of blood made up of red blood cells
  • B. The percentage of plasma made up of clotting factors
  • C. The amount of oxygen dissolved in the plasma
  • D. The number of white blood cells in a blood sample

Explanation: Haematocrit is the proportion of whole blood occupied by red blood cells.

Correct answer: The percentage of blood made up of red blood cells
  • A. Adhesion to exposed damaged tissue
  • B. Production of antibodies against bacteria
  • C. Destruction of aged red blood cells
  • D. Release of oxygen into body tissues

Explanation: Platelets adhere to exposed structures at the injured vessel wall and help form the initial platelet plug.

Correct answer: Adhesion to exposed damaged tissue
  • A. Macrophage
  • B. Plasma cell
  • C. Eosinophil
  • D. Mast cell

Explanation: Monocytes develop into macrophages after entering tissues, where they phagocytose organisms and cellular debris.

Correct answer: Macrophage
Easy
  • A. They are part of innate immunity and kill some abnormal cells
  • B. They produce antibodies after exposure to a vaccine
  • C. They form platelets in the bone marrow
  • D. They release clotting factors into damaged vessels

Explanation: Natural killer cells provide rapid innate defence by destroying some virus-infected and tumour cells without prior specific sensitisation.

Correct answer: They are part of innate immunity and kill some abnormal cells
  • A. Immunoglobulin M
  • B. Immunoglobulin A
  • C. Immunoglobulin E
  • D. Immunoglobulin G

Explanation: Immunoglobulin M is generally the first major antibody released during a primary response.

Correct answer: Immunoglobulin M
Fairly easy
  • A. Secretory immunoglobulin A
  • B. Immunoglobulin M in red cells
  • C. Immunoglobulin E in platelets
  • D. Immunoglobulin G in neutrophils

Explanation: Secretory immunoglobulin A in breast milk provides natural passive protection, especially across the infant's gastrointestinal and…

Correct answer: Secretory immunoglobulin A
Fairly easy
  • A. Factor VIII
  • B. Factor II
  • C. Factor V
  • D. Factor XII

Explanation: Haemophilia A results from deficiency of factor VIII, an intrinsic pathway clotting factor.

Correct answer: Factor VIII
  • A. To prevent the mother from forming anti-D antibodies
  • B. To increase the fetal platelet count
  • C. To stimulate the mother to make Rh-positive cells
  • D. To destroy all antibodies in the maternal plasma

Explanation: Anti-D immunoglobulin removes or neutralises fetal Rh-positive red cells that enter the mother's circulation, reducing maternal…

Correct answer: To prevent the mother from forming anti-D antibodies
Moderate
  • A. It responds specifically to particular antigens
  • B. It is present as an intact skin barrier
  • C. It acts immediately against many unrelated threats
  • D. It includes protective secretions on mucous membranes

Explanation: Adaptive immunity recognises particular antigens and develops responses involving specific lymphocytes.

Correct answer: It responds specifically to particular antigens
  • A. Petechiae and bleeding from mucous membranes
  • B. Deep muscle bleeding with joint swelling
  • C. Yellow skin from increased bilirubin
  • D. Severe cyanosis from low oxygen saturation

Explanation: Platelets are essential for the initial platelet plug, so thrombocytopenia commonly causes petechiae and mucosal bleeding.

Correct answer: Petechiae and bleeding from mucous membranes