Kaplan Nursing Entrance Practice Exam 2025 – The All-in-One Guide to Exam Success!

In autoimmune disorders, the immune system mistakenly identifies the body’s own tissues as foreign invaders and launches an attack against them. This abnormal immune response can lead to inflammation and damage to various organs and systems within the body. Conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and multiple sclerosis exemplify this phenomenon, where the immune system's malfunction results in the targeting of healthy cells, tissues, and organs, causing a range of symptoms and health complications.

The other options do not accurately describe the mechanisms involved in autoimmune disorders. Strengthening defenses against germs relates to a typical immune response to infections. Tolerating foreign substances is more associated with immunological tolerance, which is crucial in preventing the immune system from attacking non-harmful antigens, such as food and healthy gut bacteria. Enhancing barriers to foreign invaders generally refers to physical and physiological defenses, such as skin and mucous membranes, rather than the misdirected attacks seen in autoimmune conditions.