PYC2605 ALL EXAM Answers
EXAM PAPER - MY CHOICE FOR ANSWERS
PLEASE NOTE THAT YOU ARE WELCOME TO DISAGREE WITH ME. LET US TRY TO WORK
TOGETHER TO FIND THE CORRECT ANSWERS!!!
SECTION A: COMPULSORY FOR ALL STUDENTS
QUESTION 1
Complete the following sentence about the ‘birth’ of a new epidemic. The world first became aware
of a new disease in June 1981 when
People in central Africa showed symptoms like severe diarrhoea and weight loss – a disease that
was referred to as ‘slim disease’ at the time
A very rare form of pneumonia and an uncommon type of cancer were diagnosed in homosexual
men in Los Angeles
A rare form of pneumonia also known as PCP was diagnosed in people with haemophilia
Scientists were baffled by a new disease that was sexually transmitted.
ANSWER: I refer you to P 4, paragraph 1.1 in our textbook.
QUESTION 2
Two viruses are associated with Aids, namely HIV-1 and HIV-2. The difference between the two
viruses is
HIV-1 infections have a longer latency period than HIV-2 before the disease develops
HIV-1 progresses faster to final stage Aids than HIV-2
HIV-1 has lower viral counts than HIV-2
HIV-2 is more pathogenic than HIV-1
ANSWER: Please consult P8, paragraph 1.2.1 in our textbook. This is a popular exam question.
QUESTION 3
The defences of the immune system can be divided into the two mail groups namely the non-specific
defences and the specific defences. An example of the specific defences is
(1) the skin and mucous membranes
(2) plasma proteins & white blood cells
(3) macrophages
(4) CD4+T cell
ANSWER: P 27, figure 2.1 in our textbook.
QUESTION 4
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, PYC2605 ALL EXAM Answers
We get new flu vaccines every year. Why is it so difficult to develop a vaccine for HIV?
- Flu virus mutates slowly, HIV mutates too quickly
ANSWER: P 47, Paragraph 2.2.5.2
QUESTION 5
In order to use the CD4+T cell is to manufacture more viruses. HIV uses to transform
its viral RNA onto pro-viral DNA
(1) reverse transcriptase
(2) entry inhibitors
(3) integrase
(4) protease
ANSWER: P 42, paragraph 2.2.4.2
QUESTION 6
In the beginning scientists thought that there must be a break in the mucous membranes of the
vagina for HIV to transmit from a man to a woman. The last research shows that
(1) previous research was not completely wrong. HIV needs antigen-presenting cells to present the
virus to the CD4+T cells and there has to be a microscopically tear in the vaginal wall for this to
happen
(2) there does not have to be a break in the mucous membranes of the vagina. HIV can easily enter
cells in the vaginal wall by binding to the CD4 receptors and co-receptors in these cells
(3) previous research was right. HIV can only transmit from a man to a woman if there is a small tear
in the mucous membranes of the vagina
(4) it does not really matter of there is a tear in the vaginal wall or not because antiretroviral therapy
will protect the woman from getting infected from HIV
ANSWER: P 55, paragraph 3.1.1.3
QUESTION 7
There are various biological, epidemiological and socioeconomic factors that influence the spread of
HIV infection. Women are biologically more vulnerable to HIV infection than men, because women
(1) living in some traditional African societies are often forced to comply with cultural practices, such
as living with their in-laws and submitting themselves to the practice of widow cleansing
(2) are exposed to semen for a longer time during sex than men are exposed to vaginal fluids, and
semen contains higher concentrations of HIV than do vaginal fluids
(3) living in poor and deprived conditions are often forced to become sex workers in order to keep
themselves and their children alive
(4) often have more sexual partners than men
about:blank 2/91
, PYC2605 ALL EXAM Answers
ANSWER: P 51, paragraph 3.1.1.1
QUESTION 8
It is the policy of the South African National Blood Service to test all donated blood for the following
(1) HIV only
(2) HIV, hepatitis B and syphilis
(3) HIV, hepatitis B, hepatitis C and syphilis
(4) HIV, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, syphilis and herpes
ANSWER: P 57, paragraph 3.2.1
QUESTION 9
With the definition of ‘HIV-exposed’ in mind, which one of the following examples explains the
definition or concept the best?
(1) Peter was exposed to the blood of this mother during birth, but his mother was already on ARVs
during her pregnancy. He was therefore not exposed to HIV
(2) Tony was born to an HIV infected mother, but an HIV test had to be done to determine if he was
HIV positive or negative
(3) Amalia was born to an HIV infected mother who also breastfed her, and therefore her exposure to
HIV was very high
(4) Nozuko was exposed to the blood of her mother at birth, and it is certain that she will be HIV
infected
ANSWER: P 62, paragraph 3.3
QUESTION 10
Which of the following body fluids should be considered to be as likely to transmit HIV infection as
HIV-infected blood?
- Vaginal secretions, pregnancy fluid, vomit in blood
ANSWER: P 549 paragraph 19.1.1
QUESTION 11
What does it mean when we say that a person has 'seroconverted' or that seroconversion has taken
place?
- Asymptomatic stage of infection, not show any symptoms yet.
ANSWER: P .56, ALSO GLOSSARY P 710
QUESTION 12
about:blank 3/91
, PYC2605 ALL EXAM Answers
We can distinguish between primary prophylaxis and secondary prophylaxis in the prevention of
opportunistic infections. The purpose of primary prophylaxis is to prevent
- Opportunistic infections that have never occurred in the patient before
ANSWER: P 76, 5 ED , still searching in 6 edition
TH th
QUESTION 13
Read the following statement and indicate if you agree with the statement or not. Tuberculosis is a
very serious opportunistic infection in Africa, and prophylactic treatment with Isoniazid should be
offered to all HIV-infected individuals
- Disagree, Isoniazid as prophylactic treatment for tuberculosis should never be offered to HIV
positive people who already show signs of active TB.
ANSWER: P 103, paragraph 4.4.2.3
QUESTION 14
A child with (a) and a history of (b) should be regarded as having TB unless proven
otherwise...
- a) poor weight gain, b)close contact with a person with TB in the last year.
ANSWER: P 103, paragraph 4.4.2.3
QUESTION 15
Which of the following are disadvantages of the diagnostic management approach in resource-poor
settings in Africa?
- C) laboratories with sophisticated techniques and facilities need to be acquired to diagnose
the specific STI
- D) STIs often go untreated because it is often not possible for patients who reside far from
clinics to return for test results and treatment. At a later stage.
ANSWER: P 117, paragraph 4.6.1
QUESTION 16
Which of the following statements provide reasons for carrying out an HIV test?
- To screen blood, diagnose HIV infection and t monitor responses to antiretroviral therapy
- To research the transmission patterns and prevalence of the virus
ANSWER: P 130, paragraph 5.1.1
QUESTION 17
If we say that the window period for a third-generation ELISA test is 22 days, it means
- Test will give false negative results if done before 22 days
about:blank 4/91
EXAM PAPER - MY CHOICE FOR ANSWERS
PLEASE NOTE THAT YOU ARE WELCOME TO DISAGREE WITH ME. LET US TRY TO WORK
TOGETHER TO FIND THE CORRECT ANSWERS!!!
SECTION A: COMPULSORY FOR ALL STUDENTS
QUESTION 1
Complete the following sentence about the ‘birth’ of a new epidemic. The world first became aware
of a new disease in June 1981 when
People in central Africa showed symptoms like severe diarrhoea and weight loss – a disease that
was referred to as ‘slim disease’ at the time
A very rare form of pneumonia and an uncommon type of cancer were diagnosed in homosexual
men in Los Angeles
A rare form of pneumonia also known as PCP was diagnosed in people with haemophilia
Scientists were baffled by a new disease that was sexually transmitted.
ANSWER: I refer you to P 4, paragraph 1.1 in our textbook.
QUESTION 2
Two viruses are associated with Aids, namely HIV-1 and HIV-2. The difference between the two
viruses is
HIV-1 infections have a longer latency period than HIV-2 before the disease develops
HIV-1 progresses faster to final stage Aids than HIV-2
HIV-1 has lower viral counts than HIV-2
HIV-2 is more pathogenic than HIV-1
ANSWER: Please consult P8, paragraph 1.2.1 in our textbook. This is a popular exam question.
QUESTION 3
The defences of the immune system can be divided into the two mail groups namely the non-specific
defences and the specific defences. An example of the specific defences is
(1) the skin and mucous membranes
(2) plasma proteins & white blood cells
(3) macrophages
(4) CD4+T cell
ANSWER: P 27, figure 2.1 in our textbook.
QUESTION 4
about:blank 1/91
, PYC2605 ALL EXAM Answers
We get new flu vaccines every year. Why is it so difficult to develop a vaccine for HIV?
- Flu virus mutates slowly, HIV mutates too quickly
ANSWER: P 47, Paragraph 2.2.5.2
QUESTION 5
In order to use the CD4+T cell is to manufacture more viruses. HIV uses to transform
its viral RNA onto pro-viral DNA
(1) reverse transcriptase
(2) entry inhibitors
(3) integrase
(4) protease
ANSWER: P 42, paragraph 2.2.4.2
QUESTION 6
In the beginning scientists thought that there must be a break in the mucous membranes of the
vagina for HIV to transmit from a man to a woman. The last research shows that
(1) previous research was not completely wrong. HIV needs antigen-presenting cells to present the
virus to the CD4+T cells and there has to be a microscopically tear in the vaginal wall for this to
happen
(2) there does not have to be a break in the mucous membranes of the vagina. HIV can easily enter
cells in the vaginal wall by binding to the CD4 receptors and co-receptors in these cells
(3) previous research was right. HIV can only transmit from a man to a woman if there is a small tear
in the mucous membranes of the vagina
(4) it does not really matter of there is a tear in the vaginal wall or not because antiretroviral therapy
will protect the woman from getting infected from HIV
ANSWER: P 55, paragraph 3.1.1.3
QUESTION 7
There are various biological, epidemiological and socioeconomic factors that influence the spread of
HIV infection. Women are biologically more vulnerable to HIV infection than men, because women
(1) living in some traditional African societies are often forced to comply with cultural practices, such
as living with their in-laws and submitting themselves to the practice of widow cleansing
(2) are exposed to semen for a longer time during sex than men are exposed to vaginal fluids, and
semen contains higher concentrations of HIV than do vaginal fluids
(3) living in poor and deprived conditions are often forced to become sex workers in order to keep
themselves and their children alive
(4) often have more sexual partners than men
about:blank 2/91
, PYC2605 ALL EXAM Answers
ANSWER: P 51, paragraph 3.1.1.1
QUESTION 8
It is the policy of the South African National Blood Service to test all donated blood for the following
(1) HIV only
(2) HIV, hepatitis B and syphilis
(3) HIV, hepatitis B, hepatitis C and syphilis
(4) HIV, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, syphilis and herpes
ANSWER: P 57, paragraph 3.2.1
QUESTION 9
With the definition of ‘HIV-exposed’ in mind, which one of the following examples explains the
definition or concept the best?
(1) Peter was exposed to the blood of this mother during birth, but his mother was already on ARVs
during her pregnancy. He was therefore not exposed to HIV
(2) Tony was born to an HIV infected mother, but an HIV test had to be done to determine if he was
HIV positive or negative
(3) Amalia was born to an HIV infected mother who also breastfed her, and therefore her exposure to
HIV was very high
(4) Nozuko was exposed to the blood of her mother at birth, and it is certain that she will be HIV
infected
ANSWER: P 62, paragraph 3.3
QUESTION 10
Which of the following body fluids should be considered to be as likely to transmit HIV infection as
HIV-infected blood?
- Vaginal secretions, pregnancy fluid, vomit in blood
ANSWER: P 549 paragraph 19.1.1
QUESTION 11
What does it mean when we say that a person has 'seroconverted' or that seroconversion has taken
place?
- Asymptomatic stage of infection, not show any symptoms yet.
ANSWER: P .56, ALSO GLOSSARY P 710
QUESTION 12
about:blank 3/91
, PYC2605 ALL EXAM Answers
We can distinguish between primary prophylaxis and secondary prophylaxis in the prevention of
opportunistic infections. The purpose of primary prophylaxis is to prevent
- Opportunistic infections that have never occurred in the patient before
ANSWER: P 76, 5 ED , still searching in 6 edition
TH th
QUESTION 13
Read the following statement and indicate if you agree with the statement or not. Tuberculosis is a
very serious opportunistic infection in Africa, and prophylactic treatment with Isoniazid should be
offered to all HIV-infected individuals
- Disagree, Isoniazid as prophylactic treatment for tuberculosis should never be offered to HIV
positive people who already show signs of active TB.
ANSWER: P 103, paragraph 4.4.2.3
QUESTION 14
A child with (a) and a history of (b) should be regarded as having TB unless proven
otherwise...
- a) poor weight gain, b)close contact with a person with TB in the last year.
ANSWER: P 103, paragraph 4.4.2.3
QUESTION 15
Which of the following are disadvantages of the diagnostic management approach in resource-poor
settings in Africa?
- C) laboratories with sophisticated techniques and facilities need to be acquired to diagnose
the specific STI
- D) STIs often go untreated because it is often not possible for patients who reside far from
clinics to return for test results and treatment. At a later stage.
ANSWER: P 117, paragraph 4.6.1
QUESTION 16
Which of the following statements provide reasons for carrying out an HIV test?
- To screen blood, diagnose HIV infection and t monitor responses to antiretroviral therapy
- To research the transmission patterns and prevalence of the virus
ANSWER: P 130, paragraph 5.1.1
QUESTION 17
If we say that the window period for a third-generation ELISA test is 22 days, it means
- Test will give false negative results if done before 22 days
about:blank 4/91
