2026 Nursing Virology Study Guide Practice
Questions Answer Rationales Viral Pathogens
Transmission Infection Prevention Clinical
Manifestations Diagnostic Testing
SECTION 1: GENERAL VIROLOGY AND VIRAL STRUCTURE
(Questions 1–25)
1. A nurse is reviewing the basic structure of viruses. Which component is
essential for viral attachment to host cells?
A. Capsid
B. Envelope
C. Glycoprotein spikes
D. Nucleic acid
Rationale: Glycoprotein spikes on the viral surface are essential for attachment to
specific receptors on host cells. The capsid protects the nucleic acid, the envelope
surrounds some viruses, and the nucleic acid contains genetic material.
2. A nurse is teaching a client about viral infections. Which statement
accurately describes viruses?
A. Viruses are prokaryotic cells.
B. Viruses can reproduce independently.
C. Viruses are obligate intracellular parasites.
D. Viruses contain both DNA and RNA.
Rationale: Viruses are obligate intracellular parasites, meaning they require a host
cell to replicate. They contain either DNA or RNA, not both, and lack the cellular
machinery for independent reproduction.
,3. A nurse is reviewing the classification of viruses. Which criterion is used to
classify viruses?
A. Gram stain characteristics
B. Type of nucleic acid (DNA or RNA)
C. Cell wall composition
D. Ribosomal structure
Rationale: Viruses are classified based on the type of nucleic acid they contain
(DNA or RNA), their shape, their envelope, and their replication strategy. They do
not have cell walls or ribosomes.
4. A nurse is caring for a client with a viral infection. Which laboratory test
detects viral nucleic acid?
A. Gram stain
B. Culture and sensitivity
C. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR)
D. Complete blood count
Rationale: Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is a molecular test that detects viral
DNA or RNA. It is highly sensitive and specific for viral infections.
5. A nurse is reviewing the viral replication cycle. Which step occurs
immediately after attachment?
A. Assembly
B. Penetration
C. Release
D. Replication
Rationale: After attachment, the virus penetrates the host cell. This is followed by
uncoating, replication, assembly, and release.
,6. A nurse is teaching a client about antiviral medications. Which statement is
accurate?
A. Antivirals kill viruses immediately.
B. Antivirals inhibit viral replication.
C. Antivirals are effective against all viruses.
D. Antivirals are the same as antibiotics.
Rationale: Antivirals inhibit viral replication but do not kill viruses immediately.
They are specific to certain viruses and are not the same as antibiotics, which target
bacteria.
7. A nurse is reviewing the characteristics of viral envelopes. Which statement
is accurate?
A. All viruses have envelopes.
B. Enveloped viruses are more susceptible to disinfectants.
C. Enveloped viruses are more resistant to drying.
D. Enveloped viruses lack glycoprotein spikes.
Rationale: Enveloped viruses have a lipid membrane that is susceptible to
disinfectants, drying, and heat. Non-enveloped viruses are more resistant to
environmental factors.
8. A nurse is caring for a client with a viral infection. Which type of immunity
is provided by vaccination?
A. Natural passive immunity
B. Natural active immunity
C. Artificial active immunity
D. Artificial passive immunity
Rationale: Vaccination provides artificial active immunity by stimulating the
immune system to produce antibodies and memory cells without causing disease.
, 9. A nurse is reviewing the pathogenesis of viral infections. Which statement is
accurate?
A. Viruses produce toxins.
B. Viruses cause damage by replicating within host cells.
C. Viruses are killed by antibiotics.
D. Viruses are larger than bacteria.
Rationale: Viruses cause damage by replicating within host cells, often leading to
cell death and tissue damage. They do not produce toxins and are not killed by
antibiotics.
10. A nurse is teaching a client about viral infections. Which statement
indicates understanding?
A. "Viruses can be killed by antibiotics."
B. "Viruses require a host cell to replicate."
C. "Viruses are larger than bacteria."
D. "Viruses can reproduce on their own."
Rationale: Viruses require a host cell to replicate. They are smaller than bacteria
and cannot reproduce independently. Antibiotics are ineffective against viruses.
11. A nurse is reviewing the characteristics of viral latency. Which statement
is accurate?
A. Latent viruses are cleared by the immune system.
B. Latent viruses remain dormant in host cells and can reactivate.
C. Latent viruses cause immediate symptoms.
D. Latent viruses cannot reactivate.
Questions Answer Rationales Viral Pathogens
Transmission Infection Prevention Clinical
Manifestations Diagnostic Testing
SECTION 1: GENERAL VIROLOGY AND VIRAL STRUCTURE
(Questions 1–25)
1. A nurse is reviewing the basic structure of viruses. Which component is
essential for viral attachment to host cells?
A. Capsid
B. Envelope
C. Glycoprotein spikes
D. Nucleic acid
Rationale: Glycoprotein spikes on the viral surface are essential for attachment to
specific receptors on host cells. The capsid protects the nucleic acid, the envelope
surrounds some viruses, and the nucleic acid contains genetic material.
2. A nurse is teaching a client about viral infections. Which statement
accurately describes viruses?
A. Viruses are prokaryotic cells.
B. Viruses can reproduce independently.
C. Viruses are obligate intracellular parasites.
D. Viruses contain both DNA and RNA.
Rationale: Viruses are obligate intracellular parasites, meaning they require a host
cell to replicate. They contain either DNA or RNA, not both, and lack the cellular
machinery for independent reproduction.
,3. A nurse is reviewing the classification of viruses. Which criterion is used to
classify viruses?
A. Gram stain characteristics
B. Type of nucleic acid (DNA or RNA)
C. Cell wall composition
D. Ribosomal structure
Rationale: Viruses are classified based on the type of nucleic acid they contain
(DNA or RNA), their shape, their envelope, and their replication strategy. They do
not have cell walls or ribosomes.
4. A nurse is caring for a client with a viral infection. Which laboratory test
detects viral nucleic acid?
A. Gram stain
B. Culture and sensitivity
C. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR)
D. Complete blood count
Rationale: Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is a molecular test that detects viral
DNA or RNA. It is highly sensitive and specific for viral infections.
5. A nurse is reviewing the viral replication cycle. Which step occurs
immediately after attachment?
A. Assembly
B. Penetration
C. Release
D. Replication
Rationale: After attachment, the virus penetrates the host cell. This is followed by
uncoating, replication, assembly, and release.
,6. A nurse is teaching a client about antiviral medications. Which statement is
accurate?
A. Antivirals kill viruses immediately.
B. Antivirals inhibit viral replication.
C. Antivirals are effective against all viruses.
D. Antivirals are the same as antibiotics.
Rationale: Antivirals inhibit viral replication but do not kill viruses immediately.
They are specific to certain viruses and are not the same as antibiotics, which target
bacteria.
7. A nurse is reviewing the characteristics of viral envelopes. Which statement
is accurate?
A. All viruses have envelopes.
B. Enveloped viruses are more susceptible to disinfectants.
C. Enveloped viruses are more resistant to drying.
D. Enveloped viruses lack glycoprotein spikes.
Rationale: Enveloped viruses have a lipid membrane that is susceptible to
disinfectants, drying, and heat. Non-enveloped viruses are more resistant to
environmental factors.
8. A nurse is caring for a client with a viral infection. Which type of immunity
is provided by vaccination?
A. Natural passive immunity
B. Natural active immunity
C. Artificial active immunity
D. Artificial passive immunity
Rationale: Vaccination provides artificial active immunity by stimulating the
immune system to produce antibodies and memory cells without causing disease.
, 9. A nurse is reviewing the pathogenesis of viral infections. Which statement is
accurate?
A. Viruses produce toxins.
B. Viruses cause damage by replicating within host cells.
C. Viruses are killed by antibiotics.
D. Viruses are larger than bacteria.
Rationale: Viruses cause damage by replicating within host cells, often leading to
cell death and tissue damage. They do not produce toxins and are not killed by
antibiotics.
10. A nurse is teaching a client about viral infections. Which statement
indicates understanding?
A. "Viruses can be killed by antibiotics."
B. "Viruses require a host cell to replicate."
C. "Viruses are larger than bacteria."
D. "Viruses can reproduce on their own."
Rationale: Viruses require a host cell to replicate. They are smaller than bacteria
and cannot reproduce independently. Antibiotics are ineffective against viruses.
11. A nurse is reviewing the characteristics of viral latency. Which statement
is accurate?
A. Latent viruses are cleared by the immune system.
B. Latent viruses remain dormant in host cells and can reactivate.
C. Latent viruses cause immediate symptoms.
D. Latent viruses cannot reactivate.
