,NR 324 Adult Health I Exam 2 Prep Med-Surg
chamberlain collage of nursing 150 Q&A +
Clinical Cases + Detailed Rationales 2026/2027
1. A nurse is reviewing laboratory results for a client diagnosed with HIV. Which laboratory value
is a key marker for monitoring the progression of the disease to AIDS?
A. Viral load
B. CD4+ T-cell count
C. White blood cell count
D. Hemoglobin level
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A declining CD4+ T-cell count is the primary marker of disease progression in HIV. A
diagnosis of AIDS is made when the CD4+ T-cell count drops below 200 cells/μL or when an
opportunistic infection develops. While the viral load measures the level of active virus, it is the
CD4 count that directly reflects the state of the immune system.
2. A nurse is providing education to a client diagnosed with HIV about preventing transmission
to others. Which statement by the client indicates a correct understanding of prevention
strategies?
A. "As long as I am taking my antiretroviral therapy, I cannot transmit the virus."
B. "I can stop using condoms now that my viral load is undetectable."
C. "I should use condoms consistently and correctly, even if my viral load is undetectable."
D. "I am only infectious during the symptomatic stage of the infection."
,Correct Answer: C
Rationale: While antiretroviral therapy (ART) and an undetectable viral load significantly reduce
the risk of transmission, consistent and correct condom use remains a key component of
prevention. Transmission can still occur through blood, semen, vaginal secretions, and breast
milk.
3. A nurse is reviewing the phases of HIV infection with a client. The nurse identifies that the
period immediately following initial infection, characterized by a high viral load, is known as:
A. The clinical latency stage
B. The symptomatic infection stage
C. The acute infection stage
D. The AIDS stage
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The acute infection stage occurs during the first 2–4 weeks after initial infection.
During this time, there is a very high viral load, and the individual is most infectious. This stage is
followed by the clinical latency (asymptomatic) stage.
4. A client with HIV is prescribed antiretroviral therapy (ART). The nurse explains that the
primary purpose of ART is to:
A. Cure the client of the HIV infection
B. Prevent the transmission of HIV to others
C. Suppress the replication of HIV and preserve immune function
D. Treat opportunistic infections that have already developed
Correct Answer: C
, Rationale: Antiretroviral therapy (ART) is used to suppress the replication of HIV, which helps to
preserve immune function, prevent disease progression, and reduce the risk of transmission. It
is not a cure but a lifelong treatment.
5. A nurse is caring for a client with HIV who develops an opportunistic infection. The nurse
understands that the primary cause of disease, disability, and death in clients with HIV is:
A. The HIV virus itself
B. The adverse effects of antiretroviral therapy
C. Opportunistic diseases
D. The development of anemia
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Opportunistic infections and cancers are the main cause of disease, disability, and
death in clients with HIV. These occur because the immune system is compromised and can no
longer fight off pathogens that a healthy immune system would normally control.
6. A client is diagnosed with iron-deficiency anemia. Which laboratory result is most consistent
with this diagnosis?
A. Increased ferritin level
B. Decreased mean corpuscular volume (MCV)
C. Decreased total iron binding capacity (TIBC)
D. Increased hemoglobin level
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Iron-deficiency anemia is characterized as a microcytic anemia, meaning the red
blood cells are smaller than normal, which is reflected in a low MCV. Ferritin levels would
typically be low because iron stores are depleted.
chamberlain collage of nursing 150 Q&A +
Clinical Cases + Detailed Rationales 2026/2027
1. A nurse is reviewing laboratory results for a client diagnosed with HIV. Which laboratory value
is a key marker for monitoring the progression of the disease to AIDS?
A. Viral load
B. CD4+ T-cell count
C. White blood cell count
D. Hemoglobin level
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A declining CD4+ T-cell count is the primary marker of disease progression in HIV. A
diagnosis of AIDS is made when the CD4+ T-cell count drops below 200 cells/μL or when an
opportunistic infection develops. While the viral load measures the level of active virus, it is the
CD4 count that directly reflects the state of the immune system.
2. A nurse is providing education to a client diagnosed with HIV about preventing transmission
to others. Which statement by the client indicates a correct understanding of prevention
strategies?
A. "As long as I am taking my antiretroviral therapy, I cannot transmit the virus."
B. "I can stop using condoms now that my viral load is undetectable."
C. "I should use condoms consistently and correctly, even if my viral load is undetectable."
D. "I am only infectious during the symptomatic stage of the infection."
,Correct Answer: C
Rationale: While antiretroviral therapy (ART) and an undetectable viral load significantly reduce
the risk of transmission, consistent and correct condom use remains a key component of
prevention. Transmission can still occur through blood, semen, vaginal secretions, and breast
milk.
3. A nurse is reviewing the phases of HIV infection with a client. The nurse identifies that the
period immediately following initial infection, characterized by a high viral load, is known as:
A. The clinical latency stage
B. The symptomatic infection stage
C. The acute infection stage
D. The AIDS stage
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The acute infection stage occurs during the first 2–4 weeks after initial infection.
During this time, there is a very high viral load, and the individual is most infectious. This stage is
followed by the clinical latency (asymptomatic) stage.
4. A client with HIV is prescribed antiretroviral therapy (ART). The nurse explains that the
primary purpose of ART is to:
A. Cure the client of the HIV infection
B. Prevent the transmission of HIV to others
C. Suppress the replication of HIV and preserve immune function
D. Treat opportunistic infections that have already developed
Correct Answer: C
, Rationale: Antiretroviral therapy (ART) is used to suppress the replication of HIV, which helps to
preserve immune function, prevent disease progression, and reduce the risk of transmission. It
is not a cure but a lifelong treatment.
5. A nurse is caring for a client with HIV who develops an opportunistic infection. The nurse
understands that the primary cause of disease, disability, and death in clients with HIV is:
A. The HIV virus itself
B. The adverse effects of antiretroviral therapy
C. Opportunistic diseases
D. The development of anemia
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Opportunistic infections and cancers are the main cause of disease, disability, and
death in clients with HIV. These occur because the immune system is compromised and can no
longer fight off pathogens that a healthy immune system would normally control.
6. A client is diagnosed with iron-deficiency anemia. Which laboratory result is most consistent
with this diagnosis?
A. Increased ferritin level
B. Decreased mean corpuscular volume (MCV)
C. Decreased total iron binding capacity (TIBC)
D. Increased hemoglobin level
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Iron-deficiency anemia is characterized as a microcytic anemia, meaning the red
blood cells are smaller than normal, which is reflected in a low MCV. Ferritin levels would
typically be low because iron stores are depleted.
