Advanced Patient Assessment Practice Exam

Which of the following types of white blood cells is responsible for phagocytosis?

1. Neutrophil

2. Lymphocyte

3. Basophil

4. Monocyte

The correct answer is: Monocyte

Phagocytosis is the process by which certain cells, particularly white blood cells, engulf and digest pathogens and debris. Among the options, monocytes are particularly notable for their role in phagocytosis. Monocytes circulate in the bloodstream and can migrate into tissues, where they differentiate into macrophages and dendritic cells. These differentiated cells are highly effective at engulfing and destroying foreign substances, dead cells, and pathogens. Macrophages, in particular, are key players in the immune response due to their ability to ingest large particles and initiate inflammatory responses. While neutrophils, another type of white blood cell, also perform phagocytosis, the question asks specifically about the type that is primarily recognized for this function in a broader context, particularly when discussing phagocytic ability and origin. Neutrophils are indeed important, but monocytes have a unique capability for tissue infiltration and prolonged immune surveillance, enhancing their role in phagocytosis within a comprehensive immune response. Lymphocytes, which include T cells and B cells, are primarily involved in the adaptive immune response and do not engage in phagocytosis. Basophils are primarily associated with inflammatory responses and allergic reactions, also not directly involved in phagocyt