PORTAGE LEARNING
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
BIOL 271 / BIOL 271 Module 6 — Microbiology
Academic Year: 2026/2027 Module 6 Exam · Virology Question Bank
NCLEX-style
Q1 What is a maculopapular rash?
A. A flat, discolored area of the skin
B. A rash featuring small, slightly raised papule lesions overlying flat macules
C. A raised, solid skin lesion less than 0.5 cm
D. A small, elevated lesion filled with clear fluid
CORRECT ANSWER:
B. A rash featuring small, slightly raised papule lesions overlying flat macules
— RATIONALE
A maculopapular rash is characterized by both macules (flat, discolored areas) and
papules (small, raised lesions). This type of rash is classic for measles and rubella
infections.
,Q2 What is the primary target of HIV?
A. CD8+ cytotoxic T cells
B. CD4+ helper T cells
C. B lymphocytes
D. Natural killer cells
CORRECT ANSWER: B. CD4+ helper T cells
— RATIONALE
HIV primarily targets CD4+ helper T lymphocytes. The virus binds to the CD4 receptor
and a co-receptor (CCR5 or CXCR4), leading to the destruction of these cells and
progressive immunodeficiency.
Q3 What is a virion?
A. The genetic material of a virus
B. A single, complete virus particle consisting of a capsid and genetic material
C. The protein shell of a virus
D. A non-infectious viral component
CORRECT ANSWER:
B. A single, complete virus particle consisting of a capsid and genetic material
— RATIONALE
A virion is the complete, infectious viral particle that exists outside the host cell. It
consists of the viral genome enclosed in a protein capsid, and may also have an
envelope.
,Q4 What are the three main viral capsid shapes?
A. Spherical, rod-shaped, and filamentous
B. Helical, icosahedral, and complex
C. Circular, linear, and segmented
D. Single-stranded, double-stranded, and segmented
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Helical, icosahedral, and complex
— RATIONALE
The three main viral capsid shapes are helical (rod-like), icosahedral (spherical with 20
sides), and complex (combination of both, e.g., bacteriophages).
Q5 What is active immunity?
A. Immunity resulting from exposure to an antigen, triggering the body to produce its
own antibodies
B. Immunity acquired by receiving pre-made antibodies
C. Immunity that does not require immune memory
D. Immunity that is present at birth
CORRECT ANSWER:
A. Immunity resulting from exposure to an antigen, triggering the body to
produce its own antibodies
— RATIONALE
Active immunity develops when the body's immune system produces antibodies and
memory cells in response to natural infection or vaccination. It is long-lasting and
provides immunological memory.
, Q6 What are the 6 steps of viral replication in order?
A. Attachment, entry, uncoating, replication, assembly, release
B. Attachment, entry, replication, uncoating, assembly, release
C. Entry, attachment, uncoating, replication, assembly, release
D. Attachment, uncoating, entry, replication, assembly, release
CORRECT ANSWER:
A. Attachment, entry, uncoating, replication, assembly, release
— RATIONALE
The 6 steps of viral replication are: 1) Attachment to host receptors, 2) Entry into the cell,
3) Uncoating of the viral genome, 4) Replication (transcription/translation), 5) Assembly
of new virions, and 6) Release from the host cell.
Q7 What are viral spikes?
A. Glycoprotein extensions that identify and bind to specific host cell proteins
B. Protein subunits that make up the capsid
C. Lipid membranes acquired from the host cell
D. Enzymes used for viral replication
CORRECT ANSWER:
A. Glycoprotein extensions that identify and bind to specific host cell proteins
— RATIONALE
Viral spikes are glycoprotein extensions on the viral surface that mediate attachment to
specific host cell receptors. They are essential for host cell recognition and entry.
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
BIOL 271 / BIOL 271 Module 6 — Microbiology
Academic Year: 2026/2027 Module 6 Exam · Virology Question Bank
NCLEX-style
Q1 What is a maculopapular rash?
A. A flat, discolored area of the skin
B. A rash featuring small, slightly raised papule lesions overlying flat macules
C. A raised, solid skin lesion less than 0.5 cm
D. A small, elevated lesion filled with clear fluid
CORRECT ANSWER:
B. A rash featuring small, slightly raised papule lesions overlying flat macules
— RATIONALE
A maculopapular rash is characterized by both macules (flat, discolored areas) and
papules (small, raised lesions). This type of rash is classic for measles and rubella
infections.
,Q2 What is the primary target of HIV?
A. CD8+ cytotoxic T cells
B. CD4+ helper T cells
C. B lymphocytes
D. Natural killer cells
CORRECT ANSWER: B. CD4+ helper T cells
— RATIONALE
HIV primarily targets CD4+ helper T lymphocytes. The virus binds to the CD4 receptor
and a co-receptor (CCR5 or CXCR4), leading to the destruction of these cells and
progressive immunodeficiency.
Q3 What is a virion?
A. The genetic material of a virus
B. A single, complete virus particle consisting of a capsid and genetic material
C. The protein shell of a virus
D. A non-infectious viral component
CORRECT ANSWER:
B. A single, complete virus particle consisting of a capsid and genetic material
— RATIONALE
A virion is the complete, infectious viral particle that exists outside the host cell. It
consists of the viral genome enclosed in a protein capsid, and may also have an
envelope.
,Q4 What are the three main viral capsid shapes?
A. Spherical, rod-shaped, and filamentous
B. Helical, icosahedral, and complex
C. Circular, linear, and segmented
D. Single-stranded, double-stranded, and segmented
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Helical, icosahedral, and complex
— RATIONALE
The three main viral capsid shapes are helical (rod-like), icosahedral (spherical with 20
sides), and complex (combination of both, e.g., bacteriophages).
Q5 What is active immunity?
A. Immunity resulting from exposure to an antigen, triggering the body to produce its
own antibodies
B. Immunity acquired by receiving pre-made antibodies
C. Immunity that does not require immune memory
D. Immunity that is present at birth
CORRECT ANSWER:
A. Immunity resulting from exposure to an antigen, triggering the body to
produce its own antibodies
— RATIONALE
Active immunity develops when the body's immune system produces antibodies and
memory cells in response to natural infection or vaccination. It is long-lasting and
provides immunological memory.
, Q6 What are the 6 steps of viral replication in order?
A. Attachment, entry, uncoating, replication, assembly, release
B. Attachment, entry, replication, uncoating, assembly, release
C. Entry, attachment, uncoating, replication, assembly, release
D. Attachment, uncoating, entry, replication, assembly, release
CORRECT ANSWER:
A. Attachment, entry, uncoating, replication, assembly, release
— RATIONALE
The 6 steps of viral replication are: 1) Attachment to host receptors, 2) Entry into the cell,
3) Uncoating of the viral genome, 4) Replication (transcription/translation), 5) Assembly
of new virions, and 6) Release from the host cell.
Q7 What are viral spikes?
A. Glycoprotein extensions that identify and bind to specific host cell proteins
B. Protein subunits that make up the capsid
C. Lipid membranes acquired from the host cell
D. Enzymes used for viral replication
CORRECT ANSWER:
A. Glycoprotein extensions that identify and bind to specific host cell proteins
— RATIONALE
Viral spikes are glycoprotein extensions on the viral surface that mediate attachment to
specific host cell receptors. They are essential for host cell recognition and entry.
