NSG 3280 Pathophysiology Exam 2 | High-Yield Questions &
Verified Answers with Rationales | Galen College of Nursing | PDF
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Section 1: Infectious Processes and Skin Integrity
Question 1 — Herpes simplex virus
A patient reports burning and tingling around the lips before painful blisters appear. The lesions
later progress into ulcers and crusts. Which explanation best describes this presentation?
A. Reactivation of varicella-zoster virus along a dermatome
B. Herpes simplex infection with characteristic lesion progression
C. Superficial fungal infection causing central clearing
D. Bacterial infection producing yellowish crusts
Correct Answer: B. Herpes simplex infection with characteristic lesion progression
Rationale: According to the study guide, herpes simplex lesions often begin with burning or
tingling, followed by vesicles, pustules, ulcers, and crusts. Healing generally occurs within 10–
14 days. Yellowish crusts are associated with impetigo, while a unilateral dermatomal eruption
suggests herpes zoster.
Question 2 — HSV latency
A patient has recurrent herpes simplex outbreaks despite complete healing of previous lesions.
Which pathophysiologic mechanism explains the recurrence?
A. The virus remains latent in nerve ganglia after the initial infection
B. The virus permanently destroys the epidermis
C. The virus survives only in contaminated clothing
D. The virus changes into a fungal organism
Correct Answer: A. The virus remains latent in nerve ganglia after the initial infection
Rationale: HSV persists in a latent form in the trigeminal nerve and other ganglia. It can
reactivate later, producing recurrent outbreaks. The study guide also notes that transmission can
occur without visible symptoms or an active outbreak.
Question 3 — HSV triggers
Which factor identified in the study guide may trigger a herpes simplex outbreak?
,A. Increased dietary protein
B. Adequate hydration
C. Sunlight exposure
D. Reduced mechanical pressure on the skin
Correct Answer: C. Sunlight exposure
Rationale: Recognized triggers in the notes include stress, sunlight exposure, menstruation, and
injury. These factors can contribute to reactivation or the appearance of symptomatic lesions.
Question 4 — HSV treatment
A patient asks whether herpes simplex can be permanently cured with antiviral medication.
Which response is most consistent with the study guide?
A. Antivirals permanently eliminate the latent virus
B. Antivirals can shorten active outbreaks but do not cure the infection
C. Antibiotics eliminate HSV from the nerve ganglia
D. Antifungal medications prevent all recurrences
Correct Answer: B. Antivirals can shorten active outbreaks but do not cure the infection
Rationale: The guide lists acyclovir, famciclovir, and valacyclovir as antiviral treatments that
shorten active outbreaks and may be used for daily prophylaxis. HSV remains latent, so these
medications do not eradicate the infection.
Question 5 — Herpes zoster
A 68-year-old patient develops severe pain followed by grouped vesicles confined to one side of
the chest. Which condition is most likely?
A. Impetigo
B. Herpes simplex type 1
C. Herpes zoster
D. Seborrheic dermatitis
Correct Answer: C. Herpes zoster
Rationale: Herpes zoster results from reactivation of latent varicella-zoster virus in sensory
ganglia. The eruption follows a dermatome, is usually unilateral, and can be associated with
severe pain and paresthesia.
Question 6 — Postherpetic neuralgia
A patient continues experiencing burning nerve pain several months after a shingles rash has
disappeared. Which complication best explains this finding?
,A. Postherpetic neuralgia
B. Contact dermatitis
C. Tinea corporis
D. Intertrigo
Correct Answer: A. Postherpetic neuralgia
Rationale: Postherpetic neuralgia is persistent or recurring pain after the shingles rash and
blisters have resolved. The guide emphasizes that it is more common in older adults and that pain
can persist for months or years.
Question 7 — Superficial fungal infections
A patient presents with a scaly, erythematous lesion on the trunk with central clearing. Which
diagnosis is most consistent with the study guide?
A. Psoriasis
B. Tinea corporis
C. Scabies
D. Herpes zoster
Correct Answer: B. Tinea corporis
Rationale: Tinea corporis is a dermatophyte infection affecting the trunk. Superficial fungal
infections commonly produce erythematous macules or plaques with peripheral scaling and
central clearing.
Question 8 — Tinea classification
A patient develops a dermatophyte infection of the scalp. Which term correctly identifies the
infection by location?
A. Tinea pedis
B. Tinea cruris
C. Tinea capitis
D. Tinea manus
Correct Answer: C. Tinea capitis
Rationale: The guide names dermatophyte infections according to location:
• Tinea capitis — scalp
• Tinea corporis — trunk
• Tinea pedis — foot
• Tinea cruris — groin
• Tinea barbae — beard
, • Tinea faciei — face
• Tinea manus — hand
Question 9 — Candidiasis
An infant develops white lesions in the mouth consistent with oral thrush. Which organism is
most commonly associated with this condition in the study guide?
A. Candida albicans
B. Borrelia burgdorferi
C. Rickettsia rickettsii
D. Sarcoptes scabiei
Correct Answer: A. Candida albicans
Rationale: Candida albicans is identified as a common cause of superficial yeast infections. Oral
candidiasis, or thrush, can occur in infants and people of other ages.
Question 10 — Intertrigo
An immobile patient develops an inflamed rash in skin folds where moisture and heat
accumulate. Which mechanism best explains the condition?
A. Reactivation of a latent virus
B. Yeast overgrowth promoted by friction, moisture, and heat
C. Collagen deposition in the dermis
D. Prolonged pressure causing deep tissue necrosis
Correct Answer: B. Yeast overgrowth promoted by friction, moisture, and heat
Rationale: The guide describes intertrigo as an inflammatory rash in skin folds associated with
friction, moisture, and heat. These conditions create an environment favorable to yeast
overgrowth.
Question 11 — Impetigo
A child presents with vesicles, pustules, and yellowish crusts around the mouth. Which
organisms are identified in the study guide as causes of impetigo?
A. Dermatophytes only
B. Staphylococci and streptococci
C. Varicella-zoster virus
D. Candida albicans only
Correct Answer: B. Staphylococci and streptococci
Verified Answers with Rationales | Galen College of Nursing | PDF
Download
Section 1: Infectious Processes and Skin Integrity
Question 1 — Herpes simplex virus
A patient reports burning and tingling around the lips before painful blisters appear. The lesions
later progress into ulcers and crusts. Which explanation best describes this presentation?
A. Reactivation of varicella-zoster virus along a dermatome
B. Herpes simplex infection with characteristic lesion progression
C. Superficial fungal infection causing central clearing
D. Bacterial infection producing yellowish crusts
Correct Answer: B. Herpes simplex infection with characteristic lesion progression
Rationale: According to the study guide, herpes simplex lesions often begin with burning or
tingling, followed by vesicles, pustules, ulcers, and crusts. Healing generally occurs within 10–
14 days. Yellowish crusts are associated with impetigo, while a unilateral dermatomal eruption
suggests herpes zoster.
Question 2 — HSV latency
A patient has recurrent herpes simplex outbreaks despite complete healing of previous lesions.
Which pathophysiologic mechanism explains the recurrence?
A. The virus remains latent in nerve ganglia after the initial infection
B. The virus permanently destroys the epidermis
C. The virus survives only in contaminated clothing
D. The virus changes into a fungal organism
Correct Answer: A. The virus remains latent in nerve ganglia after the initial infection
Rationale: HSV persists in a latent form in the trigeminal nerve and other ganglia. It can
reactivate later, producing recurrent outbreaks. The study guide also notes that transmission can
occur without visible symptoms or an active outbreak.
Question 3 — HSV triggers
Which factor identified in the study guide may trigger a herpes simplex outbreak?
,A. Increased dietary protein
B. Adequate hydration
C. Sunlight exposure
D. Reduced mechanical pressure on the skin
Correct Answer: C. Sunlight exposure
Rationale: Recognized triggers in the notes include stress, sunlight exposure, menstruation, and
injury. These factors can contribute to reactivation or the appearance of symptomatic lesions.
Question 4 — HSV treatment
A patient asks whether herpes simplex can be permanently cured with antiviral medication.
Which response is most consistent with the study guide?
A. Antivirals permanently eliminate the latent virus
B. Antivirals can shorten active outbreaks but do not cure the infection
C. Antibiotics eliminate HSV from the nerve ganglia
D. Antifungal medications prevent all recurrences
Correct Answer: B. Antivirals can shorten active outbreaks but do not cure the infection
Rationale: The guide lists acyclovir, famciclovir, and valacyclovir as antiviral treatments that
shorten active outbreaks and may be used for daily prophylaxis. HSV remains latent, so these
medications do not eradicate the infection.
Question 5 — Herpes zoster
A 68-year-old patient develops severe pain followed by grouped vesicles confined to one side of
the chest. Which condition is most likely?
A. Impetigo
B. Herpes simplex type 1
C. Herpes zoster
D. Seborrheic dermatitis
Correct Answer: C. Herpes zoster
Rationale: Herpes zoster results from reactivation of latent varicella-zoster virus in sensory
ganglia. The eruption follows a dermatome, is usually unilateral, and can be associated with
severe pain and paresthesia.
Question 6 — Postherpetic neuralgia
A patient continues experiencing burning nerve pain several months after a shingles rash has
disappeared. Which complication best explains this finding?
,A. Postherpetic neuralgia
B. Contact dermatitis
C. Tinea corporis
D. Intertrigo
Correct Answer: A. Postherpetic neuralgia
Rationale: Postherpetic neuralgia is persistent or recurring pain after the shingles rash and
blisters have resolved. The guide emphasizes that it is more common in older adults and that pain
can persist for months or years.
Question 7 — Superficial fungal infections
A patient presents with a scaly, erythematous lesion on the trunk with central clearing. Which
diagnosis is most consistent with the study guide?
A. Psoriasis
B. Tinea corporis
C. Scabies
D. Herpes zoster
Correct Answer: B. Tinea corporis
Rationale: Tinea corporis is a dermatophyte infection affecting the trunk. Superficial fungal
infections commonly produce erythematous macules or plaques with peripheral scaling and
central clearing.
Question 8 — Tinea classification
A patient develops a dermatophyte infection of the scalp. Which term correctly identifies the
infection by location?
A. Tinea pedis
B. Tinea cruris
C. Tinea capitis
D. Tinea manus
Correct Answer: C. Tinea capitis
Rationale: The guide names dermatophyte infections according to location:
• Tinea capitis — scalp
• Tinea corporis — trunk
• Tinea pedis — foot
• Tinea cruris — groin
• Tinea barbae — beard
, • Tinea faciei — face
• Tinea manus — hand
Question 9 — Candidiasis
An infant develops white lesions in the mouth consistent with oral thrush. Which organism is
most commonly associated with this condition in the study guide?
A. Candida albicans
B. Borrelia burgdorferi
C. Rickettsia rickettsii
D. Sarcoptes scabiei
Correct Answer: A. Candida albicans
Rationale: Candida albicans is identified as a common cause of superficial yeast infections. Oral
candidiasis, or thrush, can occur in infants and people of other ages.
Question 10 — Intertrigo
An immobile patient develops an inflamed rash in skin folds where moisture and heat
accumulate. Which mechanism best explains the condition?
A. Reactivation of a latent virus
B. Yeast overgrowth promoted by friction, moisture, and heat
C. Collagen deposition in the dermis
D. Prolonged pressure causing deep tissue necrosis
Correct Answer: B. Yeast overgrowth promoted by friction, moisture, and heat
Rationale: The guide describes intertrigo as an inflammatory rash in skin folds associated with
friction, moisture, and heat. These conditions create an environment favorable to yeast
overgrowth.
Question 11 — Impetigo
A child presents with vesicles, pustules, and yellowish crusts around the mouth. Which
organisms are identified in the study guide as causes of impetigo?
A. Dermatophytes only
B. Staphylococci and streptococci
C. Varicella-zoster virus
D. Candida albicans only
Correct Answer: B. Staphylococci and streptococci
