,NU 545 Physio-Pathological Basis of Advanced
Nursing Unit 4 Exam Study Guide University of
South Alabama Exam Prep & 100 Q&A MCQs
2026/2027
1. A 20-year-old college student presents with severe pharyngitis, posterior cervical
lymphadenopathy, and fever. A heterophile antibody test is positive. Which of the following is
the most likely causative organism?
A. Cytomegalovirus
B. Epstein-Barr virus
C. Adenovirus
D. Toxoplasma gondii
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Infectious mononucleosis (IM) is most commonly caused by Epstein-Barr virus (EBV),
a herpesvirus that infects B lymphocytes. The classic triad of symptoms includes pharyngitis,
lymphadenopathy, and fever. A positive heterophile antibody test (Monospot) supports the
diagnosis of EBV-induced IM. CMV, adenovirus, and Toxoplasma can cause similar syndromes
but are less common and typically heterophile-negative.
2. A patient with infectious mononucleosis is at risk for which life-threatening complication?
A. Splenic rupture
,B. Hepatic failure
C. Renal failure
D. Pulmonary embolism
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Splenic rupture is a rare but life-threatening complication of infectious
mononucleosis due to splenomegaly. Patients should avoid contact sports and strenuous
activity for at least 4-6 weeks after diagnosis. Other complications include airway obstruction
from tonsillar hypertrophy, hemolytic anemia, and thrombocytopenia.
3. A patient with infectious mononucleosis develops a maculopapular rash after being
prescribed amoxicillin. What is the most likely explanation?
A. True penicillin allergy
B. EBV-induced hypersensitivity to aminopenicillins
C. Serum sickness
D. Stevens-Johnson syndrome
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Patients with infectious mononucleosis frequently develop a maculopapular rash
when treated with aminopenicillins (amoxicillin or ampicillin). This is not a true penicillin allergy
but an EBV-induced hypersensitivity reaction. The rash typically resolves after discontinuation of
the antibiotic.
, 4. Which of the following is the most common type of leukemia in children?
A. Acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL)
B. Acute myelogenous leukemia (AML)
C. Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL)
D. Chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML)
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) is the most common type of leukemia in children,
accounting for approximately 75-80% of childhood leukemia cases. It is characterized by the
proliferation of immature lymphoblasts in the bone marrow and blood.
5. A patient with acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) has a translocation between
chromosomes 15 and 17. This finding is most associated with which subtype of AML?
A. Acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL)
B. Acute monocytic leukemia
C. Acute megakaryoblastic leukemia
D. Acute erythroleukemia
Correct Answer: A
Nursing Unit 4 Exam Study Guide University of
South Alabama Exam Prep & 100 Q&A MCQs
2026/2027
1. A 20-year-old college student presents with severe pharyngitis, posterior cervical
lymphadenopathy, and fever. A heterophile antibody test is positive. Which of the following is
the most likely causative organism?
A. Cytomegalovirus
B. Epstein-Barr virus
C. Adenovirus
D. Toxoplasma gondii
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Infectious mononucleosis (IM) is most commonly caused by Epstein-Barr virus (EBV),
a herpesvirus that infects B lymphocytes. The classic triad of symptoms includes pharyngitis,
lymphadenopathy, and fever. A positive heterophile antibody test (Monospot) supports the
diagnosis of EBV-induced IM. CMV, adenovirus, and Toxoplasma can cause similar syndromes
but are less common and typically heterophile-negative.
2. A patient with infectious mononucleosis is at risk for which life-threatening complication?
A. Splenic rupture
,B. Hepatic failure
C. Renal failure
D. Pulmonary embolism
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Splenic rupture is a rare but life-threatening complication of infectious
mononucleosis due to splenomegaly. Patients should avoid contact sports and strenuous
activity for at least 4-6 weeks after diagnosis. Other complications include airway obstruction
from tonsillar hypertrophy, hemolytic anemia, and thrombocytopenia.
3. A patient with infectious mononucleosis develops a maculopapular rash after being
prescribed amoxicillin. What is the most likely explanation?
A. True penicillin allergy
B. EBV-induced hypersensitivity to aminopenicillins
C. Serum sickness
D. Stevens-Johnson syndrome
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Patients with infectious mononucleosis frequently develop a maculopapular rash
when treated with aminopenicillins (amoxicillin or ampicillin). This is not a true penicillin allergy
but an EBV-induced hypersensitivity reaction. The rash typically resolves after discontinuation of
the antibiotic.
, 4. Which of the following is the most common type of leukemia in children?
A. Acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL)
B. Acute myelogenous leukemia (AML)
C. Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL)
D. Chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML)
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) is the most common type of leukemia in children,
accounting for approximately 75-80% of childhood leukemia cases. It is characterized by the
proliferation of immature lymphoblasts in the bone marrow and blood.
5. A patient with acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) has a translocation between
chromosomes 15 and 17. This finding is most associated with which subtype of AML?
A. Acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL)
B. Acute monocytic leukemia
C. Acute megakaryoblastic leukemia
D. Acute erythroleukemia
Correct Answer: A
