Med-Surg ATI Quiz – Immune & Infectious
Diseases | 2025/2026 Updated Study Guide &
Practice Questions | 100% Pass Guarantee
A nurse is assisting with the care of a client who is 2 days postoperative. Which of the
following findings should alert the nurse that the client is developing an infection?
A. Temperature 100 F
B. Erythema at the incision site
C. WBC count 9,000/mm3
D. Pain reported as a 6 on a 0 to 10 pain rating scale - correct answerB. Erythema at
the incision site
Rationale: Redness, or erythema, at the incision site is an initial manifestation of a
wound infection and requires intervention by the nurse. A temperature of 37.8° C (100°
F) is within the expected reference range and does not indicate the client is developing
an infection. This WBC count is within the expected reference range and does not
indicate the client is developing an infection. The expected reference range for WBC
count is between 5,000 to 10,000/mm3. A pain level of 6 on a 0 to 10 scale for a client
who is 2 days postoperative without any other significant findings does not indicate the
client is developing an infection. The client should be medicated for pain promptly.
A nurse is reinforcing teaching with a client who has tested positive for an allergy to dust
about how to reduce her exposure to the allergen. The nurse should determine that the
client understands how to reduce her exposure to this allergen when she states which
of the following?
A. "I will begin vacuuming once a week"
B. "Carpeting the entire house will be very expensive, but it will be worth it"
C. "I will install an electrostatic filter in my furnace"
D. "Installing curtains on the windows will help control the dust in the house" - correct
answerC. "I will install an electrostatic filter in my furnace"
Rationale: The nurse should instruct the client to install an electrostatic filter in her
furnace to control the amount of dust in the home environment. The nurse should
instruct the client to vacuum daily to decrease the amount of dust in the client's
environment. The nurse should instruct the client that carpeting should be removed from
as many rooms as possible, especially from the bedroom or any other common areas
where the client spends time. Carpet accumulates large amounts of dust in the client's
environment. The nurse should instruct the client to remove curtains within the house
,and replace them with pull shades. Pull shades accumulate less dust than curtains and
can be easier to clean.
A nurse is reinforcing discharge teaching with the partner of a client who has acquired
immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Which of the following statements by the client's
partner indicates the need for further teaching?
A. "I will dispose spoiled tissues in separate plastic bags"
B. "I'll clean up blood spills immediately with hot water"
C. I know that hand washing is an important preventive measure"
D. "I will wash soiled clothes in hot water" - correct answerB. "I'll clean up blood spills
immediately with hot water"
Rationale: The client's partner should clean blood or potentially contaminated body
substances with a bleach solution and wear gloves when coming into contact with blood
products. The client's partner should use a separate plastic bag to dispose soiled
tissues. Any items that cannot be disposed of in the toilet should be kept in a closed
plastic bag until trash disposal. The client's partner should implement measures such as
hand washing to prevent the spread of infection. The client's partner should wash soiled
clothes in hot water along with 1 cup of bleach to clean clothing.
A nurse is collecting data from a client who has an exacerbation of herpes zoster.
Which of the following manifestations of the client's skin should the nurse expect to
see?
A. Confluent, honey-colored, crusted lesions
B. Large tender nodule located on a hair follicle
C. Unilateral, localized, nodular skin lesions
D. A fluid-filled vesicular rash in the genital region - correct answerC. Unilateral,
localized, nodular skin lesions
Rationale: Herpes zoster, or shingles, results from the reactivation of a dormant
varicella virus. It is the acute, unilateral inflammation of the dorsal root ganglion. The
infection typically develops in adults and produces localized vesicular lesions confined
to a dermatome. It produces unilateral, localized, nodular skin lesions. Confluent
(gathered together), honey-colored, crusted lesions are typically associated with
impetigo. This describes a furuncle or bacterial infection on a hair follicle. This
manifestation indicates genital herpes, which is caused by the herpes simplex virus.
A nurse is reinforcing teaching with a female client who has a new diagnosis of systemic
lupus erythematosus (SLE) about factors that can trigger an exacerbation of SLE. The
nurse should determine that the client requires further teaching when she identifies
which of the following as a factor that can exacerbate SLE?
A. Exercise
B. Pregnancy
, C. Infection
D. Sunlight - correct answerA. Exercise
Rationale: SLE is a chronic autoimmune disease that develops when the immune
system becomes hyperactive and attacks healthy body tissue. This attack results in
generalized inflammation and the manifestations associated with the specific involved
tissues. Most clients who have SLE can follow an exercise program to increase the
aerobic capacity of cells and improve immune function, and the client should develop
such a program with her provider's assistance. This client needs additional teaching
about the importance of exercise to keep her muscles and joints active. Due to
hormonal changes, pregnancy can exacerbate SLE. The nurse should advise the client
of the risks. If the client becomes pregnant, she should be monitored closely for renal
and cardiovascular effects. Infections, especially streptococcal or viral infections, stress
the body and can trigger an exacerbation of SLE. In addition, many clients who have
SLE take steroids, placing them at higher risk for infection. Exposure to sunlight and
artificial ultraviolet light is the leading cause of SLE exacerbations, especially the
characteristic skin lesions and butterfly rash. Clients should use a sunscreen with a high
solar protection factor (SPF), and cover their skin with appropriate clothing and hats
when they must be exposed to sunlight.
A nurse is reinforcing teaching with an AP who is caring for a client who has active
pulmonary tuberculosis, was placed on airborne precautions, and is scheduled for a
chest x-ray. Which of the following instructions should the nurse include in the teaching?
A. Have the client wear a surgical mask
B. Wear a gown for protection from the client's infection
C. Ask the radiology staff to perform a portable chest x-ray in the client's room
D. Place an N-95 respirator on the client - correct answerA. Have the client wear a
surgical mask
Rationale: The AP should instruct the client to wear a surgical mask. The mask will
protect anyone who comes into contact with the client, including the AP. The nurse does
not need to wear a gown during transport of the client. A gown is needed if there is a
risk for contamination of clothing, such as during suctioning of the client's airway. It is
not necessary to avoid transporting the client to another department. The AP should
wear an N9-5 respirator when caring for a client who has tuberculosis. However, the
client is not required to wear an N-95 respirator.
A nurse is reinforcing teaching with a client who has genital herpes about self-
management. Which of the following instructions should the nurse include in the
teaching?
A. Use an alcohol-based soap to clean lesions
B. Wear a condom during sexual activity when lesions are present
C. Take a sitz bath once per day
Diseases | 2025/2026 Updated Study Guide &
Practice Questions | 100% Pass Guarantee
A nurse is assisting with the care of a client who is 2 days postoperative. Which of the
following findings should alert the nurse that the client is developing an infection?
A. Temperature 100 F
B. Erythema at the incision site
C. WBC count 9,000/mm3
D. Pain reported as a 6 on a 0 to 10 pain rating scale - correct answerB. Erythema at
the incision site
Rationale: Redness, or erythema, at the incision site is an initial manifestation of a
wound infection and requires intervention by the nurse. A temperature of 37.8° C (100°
F) is within the expected reference range and does not indicate the client is developing
an infection. This WBC count is within the expected reference range and does not
indicate the client is developing an infection. The expected reference range for WBC
count is between 5,000 to 10,000/mm3. A pain level of 6 on a 0 to 10 scale for a client
who is 2 days postoperative without any other significant findings does not indicate the
client is developing an infection. The client should be medicated for pain promptly.
A nurse is reinforcing teaching with a client who has tested positive for an allergy to dust
about how to reduce her exposure to the allergen. The nurse should determine that the
client understands how to reduce her exposure to this allergen when she states which
of the following?
A. "I will begin vacuuming once a week"
B. "Carpeting the entire house will be very expensive, but it will be worth it"
C. "I will install an electrostatic filter in my furnace"
D. "Installing curtains on the windows will help control the dust in the house" - correct
answerC. "I will install an electrostatic filter in my furnace"
Rationale: The nurse should instruct the client to install an electrostatic filter in her
furnace to control the amount of dust in the home environment. The nurse should
instruct the client to vacuum daily to decrease the amount of dust in the client's
environment. The nurse should instruct the client that carpeting should be removed from
as many rooms as possible, especially from the bedroom or any other common areas
where the client spends time. Carpet accumulates large amounts of dust in the client's
environment. The nurse should instruct the client to remove curtains within the house
,and replace them with pull shades. Pull shades accumulate less dust than curtains and
can be easier to clean.
A nurse is reinforcing discharge teaching with the partner of a client who has acquired
immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Which of the following statements by the client's
partner indicates the need for further teaching?
A. "I will dispose spoiled tissues in separate plastic bags"
B. "I'll clean up blood spills immediately with hot water"
C. I know that hand washing is an important preventive measure"
D. "I will wash soiled clothes in hot water" - correct answerB. "I'll clean up blood spills
immediately with hot water"
Rationale: The client's partner should clean blood or potentially contaminated body
substances with a bleach solution and wear gloves when coming into contact with blood
products. The client's partner should use a separate plastic bag to dispose soiled
tissues. Any items that cannot be disposed of in the toilet should be kept in a closed
plastic bag until trash disposal. The client's partner should implement measures such as
hand washing to prevent the spread of infection. The client's partner should wash soiled
clothes in hot water along with 1 cup of bleach to clean clothing.
A nurse is collecting data from a client who has an exacerbation of herpes zoster.
Which of the following manifestations of the client's skin should the nurse expect to
see?
A. Confluent, honey-colored, crusted lesions
B. Large tender nodule located on a hair follicle
C. Unilateral, localized, nodular skin lesions
D. A fluid-filled vesicular rash in the genital region - correct answerC. Unilateral,
localized, nodular skin lesions
Rationale: Herpes zoster, or shingles, results from the reactivation of a dormant
varicella virus. It is the acute, unilateral inflammation of the dorsal root ganglion. The
infection typically develops in adults and produces localized vesicular lesions confined
to a dermatome. It produces unilateral, localized, nodular skin lesions. Confluent
(gathered together), honey-colored, crusted lesions are typically associated with
impetigo. This describes a furuncle or bacterial infection on a hair follicle. This
manifestation indicates genital herpes, which is caused by the herpes simplex virus.
A nurse is reinforcing teaching with a female client who has a new diagnosis of systemic
lupus erythematosus (SLE) about factors that can trigger an exacerbation of SLE. The
nurse should determine that the client requires further teaching when she identifies
which of the following as a factor that can exacerbate SLE?
A. Exercise
B. Pregnancy
, C. Infection
D. Sunlight - correct answerA. Exercise
Rationale: SLE is a chronic autoimmune disease that develops when the immune
system becomes hyperactive and attacks healthy body tissue. This attack results in
generalized inflammation and the manifestations associated with the specific involved
tissues. Most clients who have SLE can follow an exercise program to increase the
aerobic capacity of cells and improve immune function, and the client should develop
such a program with her provider's assistance. This client needs additional teaching
about the importance of exercise to keep her muscles and joints active. Due to
hormonal changes, pregnancy can exacerbate SLE. The nurse should advise the client
of the risks. If the client becomes pregnant, she should be monitored closely for renal
and cardiovascular effects. Infections, especially streptococcal or viral infections, stress
the body and can trigger an exacerbation of SLE. In addition, many clients who have
SLE take steroids, placing them at higher risk for infection. Exposure to sunlight and
artificial ultraviolet light is the leading cause of SLE exacerbations, especially the
characteristic skin lesions and butterfly rash. Clients should use a sunscreen with a high
solar protection factor (SPF), and cover their skin with appropriate clothing and hats
when they must be exposed to sunlight.
A nurse is reinforcing teaching with an AP who is caring for a client who has active
pulmonary tuberculosis, was placed on airborne precautions, and is scheduled for a
chest x-ray. Which of the following instructions should the nurse include in the teaching?
A. Have the client wear a surgical mask
B. Wear a gown for protection from the client's infection
C. Ask the radiology staff to perform a portable chest x-ray in the client's room
D. Place an N-95 respirator on the client - correct answerA. Have the client wear a
surgical mask
Rationale: The AP should instruct the client to wear a surgical mask. The mask will
protect anyone who comes into contact with the client, including the AP. The nurse does
not need to wear a gown during transport of the client. A gown is needed if there is a
risk for contamination of clothing, such as during suctioning of the client's airway. It is
not necessary to avoid transporting the client to another department. The AP should
wear an N9-5 respirator when caring for a client who has tuberculosis. However, the
client is not required to wear an N-95 respirator.
A nurse is reinforcing teaching with a client who has genital herpes about self-
management. Which of the following instructions should the nurse include in the
teaching?
A. Use an alcohol-based soap to clean lesions
B. Wear a condom during sexual activity when lesions are present
C. Take a sitz bath once per day
