NSG 3280 EXAM 4 PREP 2026 | 200 PRACTICE QUESTIONS &
DETAILED ANSWERS | GALEN NURSING | 100% CORRECT WITH
RATIONALES | LATEST FALL UPDATE
Questions 1–20: STIs & Infectious Processes
1. A sexually active young adult presents with dysuria and purulent urethral discharge. Which
pathophysiologic process is most consistent with gonorrhea?
A) Fungal overgrowth in vaginal mucosa
B) Gramnegative diplococci invading columnar epithelium
C) Spirochetemediated destruction of large joints
D) Viral latency in sensory ganglia
Answer: B) Gramnegative diplococci invading columnar epithelium – Gonorrhea is caused by Neisseria
gonorrhoeae, a gramnegative diplococcus that attaches to and invades columnar epithelium, causing
inflammation and purulent discharge.
2. Which complication best reflects the longterm pathogenesis of untreated gonorrhea?
A) Bone marrow suppression
B) Scarring of reproductive structures
C) Demyelination of peripheral nerves
D) Loss of lens elasticity
Answer: B) Scarring of reproductive structures – Untreated gonorrhea can ascend and cause scarring of
the fallopian tubes, epididymis, and other reproductive structures, leading to infertility.
,3. A patient presents with a painless genital ulcer. Which sexually transmitted infection is most likely?
A) Gonorrhea
B) Chlamydia
C) Syphilis (primary stage)
D) HPV
Answer: C) Syphilis (primary stage) – Primary syphilis is characterized by a painless chancre (ulcer) at the
site of infection. This is caused by the spirochete Treponema pallidum.
4. Which condition may result from either gonorrhea or chlamydia infection?
A) Erectile dysfunction
B) Epididymitis
C) Endometriosis
D) Urinary incontinence
Answer: B) Epididymitis – Epididymitis is commonly linked to both N. gonorrhoeae and C. trachomatis
infections in sexually active males.
5. Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) is most commonly caused by:
A) HPV and HSV
B) Gonorrhea and Chlamydia
C) Syphilis and HIV
D) Candida and Trichomonas
,Answer: B) Gonorrhea and Chlamydia – PID is most commonly caused by ascending infection from
Neisseria gonorrhoeae and Chlamydia trachomatis, which spread from the cervix to the upper
reproductive tract.
6. A female patient with PID is at risk for which longterm complication?
A) Ovarian cancer
B) Ectopic pregnancy and infertility
C) Endometrial hyperplasia
D) Polycystic ovary syndrome
Answer: B) Ectopic pregnancy and infertility – PID can cause scarring and adhesions of the fallopian
tubes, increasing the risk of ectopic pregnancy and infertility.
7. Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is associated with which type of cancer?
A) Ovarian cancer
B) Cervical cancer
C) Endometrial cancer
D) Breast cancer
Answer: B) Cervical cancer – Highrisk strains of HPV (particularly types 16 and 18) are associated with
the development of cervical cancer. HPV vaccination can prevent infection.
8. A Bartholin cyst is most likely to present with:
A) Painless labial mass
, B) Painful vulvar swelling with possible abscess
C) Vaginal discharge with odor
D) Pelvic pain with fever
Answer: B) Painful vulvar swelling with possible abscess – A Bartholin cyst occurs when the Bartholin
gland duct becomes blocked. If infected, it can become an abscess causing significant pain and swelling.
9. Which STI is caused by a spirochete and can progress through primary, secondary, and tertiary stages
if untreated?
A) Gonorrhea
B) Chlamydia
C) Syphilis
D) HPV
Answer: C) Syphilis – Syphilis is caused by the spirochete Treponema pallidum and progresses through
primary (chancre), secondary (rash, mucosal lesions), latent, and tertiary (gummas, cardiovascular,
neurological) stages if untreated.
10. A patient with secondary syphilis would most likely present with:
A) Painless genital ulcer
B) Maculopapular rash on palms and soles
C) Genital warts
D) Purulent urethral discharge
Answer: B) Maculopapular rash on palms and soles – Secondary syphilis is characterized by a
maculopapular rash, often involving the palms and soles, along with flulike symptoms and mucous
membrane lesions.
DETAILED ANSWERS | GALEN NURSING | 100% CORRECT WITH
RATIONALES | LATEST FALL UPDATE
Questions 1–20: STIs & Infectious Processes
1. A sexually active young adult presents with dysuria and purulent urethral discharge. Which
pathophysiologic process is most consistent with gonorrhea?
A) Fungal overgrowth in vaginal mucosa
B) Gramnegative diplococci invading columnar epithelium
C) Spirochetemediated destruction of large joints
D) Viral latency in sensory ganglia
Answer: B) Gramnegative diplococci invading columnar epithelium – Gonorrhea is caused by Neisseria
gonorrhoeae, a gramnegative diplococcus that attaches to and invades columnar epithelium, causing
inflammation and purulent discharge.
2. Which complication best reflects the longterm pathogenesis of untreated gonorrhea?
A) Bone marrow suppression
B) Scarring of reproductive structures
C) Demyelination of peripheral nerves
D) Loss of lens elasticity
Answer: B) Scarring of reproductive structures – Untreated gonorrhea can ascend and cause scarring of
the fallopian tubes, epididymis, and other reproductive structures, leading to infertility.
,3. A patient presents with a painless genital ulcer. Which sexually transmitted infection is most likely?
A) Gonorrhea
B) Chlamydia
C) Syphilis (primary stage)
D) HPV
Answer: C) Syphilis (primary stage) – Primary syphilis is characterized by a painless chancre (ulcer) at the
site of infection. This is caused by the spirochete Treponema pallidum.
4. Which condition may result from either gonorrhea or chlamydia infection?
A) Erectile dysfunction
B) Epididymitis
C) Endometriosis
D) Urinary incontinence
Answer: B) Epididymitis – Epididymitis is commonly linked to both N. gonorrhoeae and C. trachomatis
infections in sexually active males.
5. Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) is most commonly caused by:
A) HPV and HSV
B) Gonorrhea and Chlamydia
C) Syphilis and HIV
D) Candida and Trichomonas
,Answer: B) Gonorrhea and Chlamydia – PID is most commonly caused by ascending infection from
Neisseria gonorrhoeae and Chlamydia trachomatis, which spread from the cervix to the upper
reproductive tract.
6. A female patient with PID is at risk for which longterm complication?
A) Ovarian cancer
B) Ectopic pregnancy and infertility
C) Endometrial hyperplasia
D) Polycystic ovary syndrome
Answer: B) Ectopic pregnancy and infertility – PID can cause scarring and adhesions of the fallopian
tubes, increasing the risk of ectopic pregnancy and infertility.
7. Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is associated with which type of cancer?
A) Ovarian cancer
B) Cervical cancer
C) Endometrial cancer
D) Breast cancer
Answer: B) Cervical cancer – Highrisk strains of HPV (particularly types 16 and 18) are associated with
the development of cervical cancer. HPV vaccination can prevent infection.
8. A Bartholin cyst is most likely to present with:
A) Painless labial mass
, B) Painful vulvar swelling with possible abscess
C) Vaginal discharge with odor
D) Pelvic pain with fever
Answer: B) Painful vulvar swelling with possible abscess – A Bartholin cyst occurs when the Bartholin
gland duct becomes blocked. If infected, it can become an abscess causing significant pain and swelling.
9. Which STI is caused by a spirochete and can progress through primary, secondary, and tertiary stages
if untreated?
A) Gonorrhea
B) Chlamydia
C) Syphilis
D) HPV
Answer: C) Syphilis – Syphilis is caused by the spirochete Treponema pallidum and progresses through
primary (chancre), secondary (rash, mucosal lesions), latent, and tertiary (gummas, cardiovascular,
neurological) stages if untreated.
10. A patient with secondary syphilis would most likely present with:
A) Painless genital ulcer
B) Maculopapular rash on palms and soles
C) Genital warts
D) Purulent urethral discharge
Answer: B) Maculopapular rash on palms and soles – Secondary syphilis is characterized by a
maculopapular rash, often involving the palms and soles, along with flulike symptoms and mucous
membrane lesions.
