,NUR 265 Exam 4 Advanced Concepts of Medical-Surgical Nursing
Questions And Answers 2026/2027 Galen College
Q1. A client with HIV has a CD4 count of 180 cells/mm³. How should
the nurse interpret this finding?
A) The client has normal immune function
B) The client has developed AIDS-level immunosuppression
C) The client has acute HIV infection
D) The client is no longer infectious
Correct Answer: B) The client has developed AIDS-level immunosuppression
Rationale: A CD4 count below 200 cells/mm³ indicates severe
immunosuppression and meets an AIDS-defining criterion.
Q2. Which laboratory value is most important for evaluating immune
function in a client with HIV?
A) Hemoglobin
B) Serum sodium
C) CD4 T-cell count
D) Serum calcium
Correct Answer: C) CD4 T-cell count
Rationale: The CD4 T-cell count reflects the degree of immune system
impairment caused by HIV.
Q3. Which teaching point is most important for a client prescribed
antiretroviral therapy?
A) Stop the medication when symptoms improve
B) Take the medications consistently as prescribed
C) Take all medications only when the CD4 count decreases
D) Avoid laboratory monitoring while taking the medications
Correct Answer: B) Take the medications consistently as prescribed
Rationale: Consistent adherence to antiretroviral therapy suppresses HIV
replication and reduces the risk of treatment failure and resistance.
Q4. A client with advanced HIV develops a persistent dry cough,
fever, and progressive dyspnea. Which opportunistic infection
should the nurse suspect?
A) Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia
B) Otitis media
, C) Appendicitis
D) Cystitis
Correct Answer: A) Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia
Rationale: Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia is an important opportunistic
infection associated with severe HIV-related immunosuppression.
Q5. Which intervention is appropriate when caring for a client with
HIV?
A) Use standard precautions when handling blood and body fluids
B) Place every HIV-positive client in airborne isolation
C) Avoid touching the client because HIV spreads through casual contact
D) Use a separate room for all HIV-positive clients
Correct Answer: A) Use standard precautions when handling blood and body
fluids
Rationale: HIV is transmitted through specific body fluids, and standard
precautions are used to prevent occupational exposure.
Q6. Which finding is commonly associated with advanced HIV
infection?
A) Persistent weight gain
B) Recurrent opportunistic infections
C) Increased platelet production
D) Increased CD4 count
Correct Answer: B) Recurrent opportunistic infections
Rationale: Progressive loss of CD4 T-cell function increases susceptibility to
opportunistic infections.
Q7. A client newly diagnosed with HIV asks how the virus damages
the immune system. Which response is most accurate?
A) "The virus primarily destroys red blood cells."
B) "The virus attacks CD4 T lymphocytes."
C) "The virus prevents platelet formation."
D) "The virus directly destroys bone tissue."
Correct Answer: B) "The virus attacks CD4 T lymphocytes."
Rationale: HIV targets CD4 T lymphocytes, progressively impairing immune
function.
Questions And Answers 2026/2027 Galen College
Q1. A client with HIV has a CD4 count of 180 cells/mm³. How should
the nurse interpret this finding?
A) The client has normal immune function
B) The client has developed AIDS-level immunosuppression
C) The client has acute HIV infection
D) The client is no longer infectious
Correct Answer: B) The client has developed AIDS-level immunosuppression
Rationale: A CD4 count below 200 cells/mm³ indicates severe
immunosuppression and meets an AIDS-defining criterion.
Q2. Which laboratory value is most important for evaluating immune
function in a client with HIV?
A) Hemoglobin
B) Serum sodium
C) CD4 T-cell count
D) Serum calcium
Correct Answer: C) CD4 T-cell count
Rationale: The CD4 T-cell count reflects the degree of immune system
impairment caused by HIV.
Q3. Which teaching point is most important for a client prescribed
antiretroviral therapy?
A) Stop the medication when symptoms improve
B) Take the medications consistently as prescribed
C) Take all medications only when the CD4 count decreases
D) Avoid laboratory monitoring while taking the medications
Correct Answer: B) Take the medications consistently as prescribed
Rationale: Consistent adherence to antiretroviral therapy suppresses HIV
replication and reduces the risk of treatment failure and resistance.
Q4. A client with advanced HIV develops a persistent dry cough,
fever, and progressive dyspnea. Which opportunistic infection
should the nurse suspect?
A) Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia
B) Otitis media
, C) Appendicitis
D) Cystitis
Correct Answer: A) Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia
Rationale: Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia is an important opportunistic
infection associated with severe HIV-related immunosuppression.
Q5. Which intervention is appropriate when caring for a client with
HIV?
A) Use standard precautions when handling blood and body fluids
B) Place every HIV-positive client in airborne isolation
C) Avoid touching the client because HIV spreads through casual contact
D) Use a separate room for all HIV-positive clients
Correct Answer: A) Use standard precautions when handling blood and body
fluids
Rationale: HIV is transmitted through specific body fluids, and standard
precautions are used to prevent occupational exposure.
Q6. Which finding is commonly associated with advanced HIV
infection?
A) Persistent weight gain
B) Recurrent opportunistic infections
C) Increased platelet production
D) Increased CD4 count
Correct Answer: B) Recurrent opportunistic infections
Rationale: Progressive loss of CD4 T-cell function increases susceptibility to
opportunistic infections.
Q7. A client newly diagnosed with HIV asks how the virus damages
the immune system. Which response is most accurate?
A) "The virus primarily destroys red blood cells."
B) "The virus attacks CD4 T lymphocytes."
C) "The virus prevents platelet formation."
D) "The virus directly destroys bone tissue."
Correct Answer: B) "The virus attacks CD4 T lymphocytes."
Rationale: HIV targets CD4 T lymphocytes, progressively impairing immune
function.
