Question 1

In patients with Crohn's disease that had portions of their intestine surgically removed, there were different levels of a particular bacterium found (i.e., Faecalibacterium prausnitzii). What was concluded from this finding?

Accepted Answer

The conclusion drawn from the finding of different levels of Faecalibacterium prausnitzii in patients with Crohn's disease who had portions of their intestine surgically removed is that Crohn's disease may be associated with the absence of beneficial bacteria, rather than being caused directly by harmful bacteria. Faecalibacterium prausnitzii is known for its anti-inflammatory properties, and lower levels of this bacterium in patients with Crohn's disease suggest that a lack of such beneficial bacteria might contribute to the disease's pathogenesis.

Question 2

C. difficile is part of a family of microbes that cluster and act against bacteria, eventually causing inflammation, diarrhea and bleeding. What is the name of this family of microbes?

Accepted Answer

Clostridium difficile (C. difficile) is part of the Clostridial family of bacteria, which are known for causing a range of illnesses, including severe diarrhea and inflammation of the colon.

Question 3

An individual complains of discomfort in the digestive tract, chronic constipation, cramping, bloating and abdominal distention, as well as fatigue, due to an autoimmune disorder of the small intestine. As they have a particularly severe case of the disease, their stool is pale, loose and greasy. What illness do they likely have?

Accepted Answer

Celiac disease is an autoimmune disorder that affects the small intestine when foods containing gluten are consumed, leading to symptoms such as discomfort in the digestive tract, chronic constipation, cramping, bloating, abdominal distention, and fatigue. The description of pale, loose, and greasy stool is indicative of malabsorption, a common feature in severe cases of celiac disease.

Question 4

Symptoms of celiac disease result from a reaction to a gluten protein found in wheat and grains, which provokes an inflammatory reaction. What is the name of the gluten protein?

Accepted Answer

Gliadin is the gluten protein that, when ingested by individuals with celiac disease, triggers an inflammatory reaction in the small intestine.

Question 5

What disorder is characterized by inflammation of synovial joints, resulting in joint pain, muscle aches and pains, and general malaise?

Accepted Answer

Rheumatoid arthritis is characterized by inflammation of synovial joints, leading to symptoms such as joint pain, muscle aches, and general malaise.

Question 6

In regard to rheumatoid arthritis, there are periods of time during which symptoms are in remission, and others where they reoccur. What is the name given to periods when symptoms reoccur?

Accepted Answer

Flare is the term used to describe periods during which symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis reoccur or worsen.

Question 7

What is the name of the antibodies used as biomarkers for rheumatoid arthritis, being present before clinical signs of the illness, and which also may be involved in provocation of the illness?

Accepted Answer

Rheumatoid factors (RF) are antibodies found in the blood of most people with rheumatoid arthritis. They are used as biomarkers for the disease, often being present before the clinical signs of the illness become apparent, and are thought to be involved in the provocation of the illness.

Question 8

Multiple sclerosis most often occurs among women, and typically appears during early adulthood. Which part of the body do the immune responses target in multiple sclerosis?

Accepted Answer

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disease where the immune system attacks the central nervous system, specifically targeting the myelin sheath. This sheath is a protective covering around nerve fibers, and its damage disrupts communication between the brain and the rest of the body.

Question 9

What particular variant of multiple sclerosis is characterized by the appearance of the disorder around 40 years of age, does not include periods where symptoms fade, and typically leads to earlier disability?

Accepted Answer

Primary progressive multiple sclerosis (PPMS) is characterized by a gradual onset and steady progression of signs and symptoms without initial relapse and remission phases. It typically begins in the late 30s or early 40s and can lead to disability more rapidly than the relapsing-remitting form.

Question 10

Systemic lupus erythematosus may come about due to a number of biological mechanisms. Which of these is not associated with the etiology and symptoms of lupus?

Accepted Answer

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease characterized by the development of antinuclear antibodies (A), the potential for autoantibodies to cross the blood-brain barrier (B), and is influenced by hormonal levels such as estrogen and testosterone (C). Vitamin D deficiency (D) has also been associated with an increased risk of SLE. However, the increased occurrence of white fat (E) is not directly associated with the etiology and symptoms of lupus.

Question 11

As dietary factors influence metabolic and inflammatory processes, several dietary recommendations have been made to alleviate symptoms of multiple sclerosis. Which of these is not one of them?

Accepted Answer

Foods high in cholesterol are generally not recommended for alleviating symptoms of multiple sclerosis. Dietary recommendations often focus on anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective foods such as those rich in polyphenols, carotenoids, polyunsaturated fatty acids, and certain vitamins.

Question 12

With regards to the use of oral contraceptives, at what point was a woman no longer at an increased risk for cancer?

Accepted Answer

The increased risk of certain cancers associated with oral contraceptive use typically diminishes and returns to baseline levels approximately 10 years after stopping the use of the pill.

Question 13

Which of these is an unlikely effect of chemotherapy?

Accepted Answer

Chemotherapy primarily targets rapidly dividing cells, which can lead to a variety of side effects, including heart problems, peripheral neuropathy, secondary neoplasms, and cognitive impairments. However, it does not directly cause psychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia, which is a complex mental health disorder influenced by a combination of genetic, brain chemistry, and environmental factors.

Question 14

After a patient has achieved remission, chemotherapy with the intent to keep the patient in a state of remission is known as using the same drugs as the original chemotherapy, this is called:

Accepted Answer

Consolidation chemotherapy is given after remission to sustain it, often using the same drugs as the initial treatment.

Question 15

Which type of chemotherapy begins with the intent of achieving remission?

Accepted Answer

Induction chemotherapy is the first line of treatment aimed at reducing cancer to undetectable levels, essentially aiming for remission. It is often used in leukemias and other cancers to achieve a significant reduction in cancer burden.

Question 16

Which is not mentioned as a factor influencing which type of radiation is chosen?

Accepted Answer

Gender of the patient receiving the treatment is not typically mentioned as a factor influencing the choice of radiation therapy. The choice is usually based on factors like the type and size of the tumor, its location, proximity to sensitive tissues, and the patient's age, but not the patient's gender.

Question 17

A certain cancer treatment involves specific antigens being raised on tumor cells that can be targeted by antibodies. This treatment is best known as _______.

Accepted Answer

Antibody therapy involves using antibodies to target specific antigens on tumor cells, making it the best fit for the description provided.

Question 18

Radiation therapy works by destroying _______ in order to damage the cancer cells.

Accepted Answer

Radiation therapy primarily works by damaging the DNA within cancer cells. This damage inhibits the cancer cells' ability to reproduce and grow, leading to their death.

Question 19

What method is not used to limit the damaging effects of radiation therapy?

Accepted Answer

Intensification radiation therapy is not a recognized method to limit the damaging effects of radiation therapy. The other options (A-D) are all advanced techniques designed to precisely target tumors while minimizing damage to surrounding healthy tissues.

Question 20

Which one of these statements is not true?

Accepted Answer

Marital state has been shown to affect health outcomes, with married individuals often experiencing different health issues and support systems compared to those who are unmarried. This contradicts the statement that marital state has no effect on the amount of health problems being experienced.

Quiz 1: Health Psychology

In patients with Crohn's disease that had portions of their intestine surgically removed, there were different levels of a particular bacterium found (i.e., Faecalibacterium prausnitzii) . What was concluded from this finding?