What could be a potential consequence of loss of B-cell function in a patient?

Prepare for the Dunphy Primary Care Exam 3. Utilize flashcards and multiple choice questions, each with hints and explanations, to ensure success. Maximize your study efficiency and excel in your exam!

The correct answer emphasizes the critical role that B-cells play in the immune system. B-cells are responsible for producing antibodies, which are essential for identifying and neutralizing pathogens such as bacteria and viruses. When there is a loss of B-cell function, the body's ability to generate an adequate antibody response is severely compromised. As a result, this leads to an increased susceptibility to infections since pathogens are not effectively targeted and eliminated. Patients with impaired B-cell function may experience recurrent infections, particularly from encapsulated organisms that are typically managed by antibody-mediated opsonization and phagocytosis.

The other options reflect conditions or processes that are unrelated to B-cell function. Decreased insulin production is associated with pancreatic function (specifically the function of beta cells) rather than B-cells. Improved antibody response contradicts the effects of B-cell loss, as a loss would lead to a diminished immune response, not an improved one. Enhanced blood clotting relates to the coagulation pathway and platelets, not B-cell activity. Thus, the increase in susceptibility to infections due to impaired antibody production is the direct and correct consequence of loss of B-cell function.

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