,NSG3250/NSG 3250 Exam 4 | Adult Health I |
Galen College | Q & A | 2026/2027 Edition (PDF)
1. Which of the following best describes the pathophysiology of a gonorrheal infection?
A) A spirochete-mediated destruction of multiple organ systems
B) A gram-negative diplococcal invasion of columnar epithelium
C) A viral latency in sensory ganglia leading to recurrent lesions
D) A protozoan infection characterized by a frothy discharge
Correct Answer: A gram-negative diplococcal invasion of columnar epithelium
Rationale: Gonorrhea is caused by *Neisseria gonorrhoeae*, a gram-negative diplococcus. Its
pathophysiology involves attaching to and penetrating columnar epithelium, which triggers an intense
inflammatory response. This explains the hallmark symptoms of dysuria, purulent discharge, and
urethritis.
2. A male patient presents with perineal discomfort, burning with urination, urinary frequency and
urgency, and pain with ejaculation. These findings are most consistent with which condition?
A) Benign prostatic hyperplasia
B) Prostatitis
C) Prostate cancer
D) Epididymitis
Correct Answer: Prostatitis
Rationale: Perineal discomfort, burning, urgency, frequency with urination, and pain with ejaculation are
classic symptoms of prostatitis. Prostatitis is an inflammation of the prostate gland that can be acute or
chronic and is often caused by bacterial infection.
3. A patient has been diagnosed with chlamydia. The nurse understands that which of the following is a
serious long-term complication of untreated chlamydia in females?
,A) Cervical cancer
B) Pelvic inflammatory disease and infertility
C) Ophthalmia neonatorum
D) Ectopic pregnancy
Correct Answer: Pelvic inflammatory disease and infertility
Rationale: Untreated chlamydia can ascend from the cervix to the upper reproductive tract, causing
pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). PID can lead to scarring of the fallopian tubes, which is a major cause
of infertility and ectopic pregnancy.
4. What is the only difference in symptoms between chlamydia and gonorrhea in males?
A) Chlamydia causes a penile discharge, while gonorrhea does not
B) Gonorrhea causes swollen, painful testicles, while chlamydia does not
C) Chlamydia causes painful urination, while gonorrhea does not
D) Gonorrhea causes a skin rash, while chlamydia does not
Correct Answer: Gonorrhea causes swollen, painful testicles, while chlamydia does not
Rationale: In men, both chlamydia and gonorrhea can cause penile discharge and dysuria. However,
gonorrhea may also present with swollen, painful testicles, which is not a typical symptom of chlamydia.
5. A patient is diagnosed with syphilis. The nurse understands that the primary stage of syphilis is
characterized by which of the following?
A) A generalized rash and fever
B) A painless chancre at the site of inoculation
C) Neurological and cardiovascular damage
D) A latent period with no symptoms
Correct Answer: A painless chancre at the site of inoculation
, Rationale: The primary stage of syphilis occurs 2-3 weeks after inoculation and is characterized by the
appearance of a painless chancre at the site of infection. The chancre is highly infectious and heals
spontaneously in 3-6 weeks.
6. A patient is diagnosed with secondary syphilis. Which of the following manifestations would the nurse
expect to observe?
A) A painless genital ulcer
B) A systemic rash and flu-like symptoms
C) Aortic aneurysm and tabes dorsalis
D) No signs or symptoms
Correct Answer: A systemic rash and flu-like symptoms
Rationale: Secondary syphilis occurs 1 week to 6 months after the primary chancre appears and is
characterized by a systemic rash, fever, malaise, and lymphadenopathy. The infection becomes systemic
at this stage.
7. A patient is diagnosed with tertiary syphilis. The nurse understands that this stage is characterized by:
A) A painless chancre at the site of infection
B) A systemic rash and fever
C) Inflammation and damage of multiple organs, including the cardiovascular and nervous systems
D) A latent period with no symptoms
Correct Answer: Inflammation and damage of multiple organs, including the cardiovascular and nervous
systems
Rationale: Tertiary syphilis is the late stage of the disease, characterized by inflammation and damage of
multiple organs, including the cardiovascular system (e.g., aortic aneurysm) and the nervous system
(e.g., tabes dorsalis, general paresis).
8. Which of the following diagnostic tests is used to screen for syphilis?
Galen College | Q & A | 2026/2027 Edition (PDF)
1. Which of the following best describes the pathophysiology of a gonorrheal infection?
A) A spirochete-mediated destruction of multiple organ systems
B) A gram-negative diplococcal invasion of columnar epithelium
C) A viral latency in sensory ganglia leading to recurrent lesions
D) A protozoan infection characterized by a frothy discharge
Correct Answer: A gram-negative diplococcal invasion of columnar epithelium
Rationale: Gonorrhea is caused by *Neisseria gonorrhoeae*, a gram-negative diplococcus. Its
pathophysiology involves attaching to and penetrating columnar epithelium, which triggers an intense
inflammatory response. This explains the hallmark symptoms of dysuria, purulent discharge, and
urethritis.
2. A male patient presents with perineal discomfort, burning with urination, urinary frequency and
urgency, and pain with ejaculation. These findings are most consistent with which condition?
A) Benign prostatic hyperplasia
B) Prostatitis
C) Prostate cancer
D) Epididymitis
Correct Answer: Prostatitis
Rationale: Perineal discomfort, burning, urgency, frequency with urination, and pain with ejaculation are
classic symptoms of prostatitis. Prostatitis is an inflammation of the prostate gland that can be acute or
chronic and is often caused by bacterial infection.
3. A patient has been diagnosed with chlamydia. The nurse understands that which of the following is a
serious long-term complication of untreated chlamydia in females?
,A) Cervical cancer
B) Pelvic inflammatory disease and infertility
C) Ophthalmia neonatorum
D) Ectopic pregnancy
Correct Answer: Pelvic inflammatory disease and infertility
Rationale: Untreated chlamydia can ascend from the cervix to the upper reproductive tract, causing
pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). PID can lead to scarring of the fallopian tubes, which is a major cause
of infertility and ectopic pregnancy.
4. What is the only difference in symptoms between chlamydia and gonorrhea in males?
A) Chlamydia causes a penile discharge, while gonorrhea does not
B) Gonorrhea causes swollen, painful testicles, while chlamydia does not
C) Chlamydia causes painful urination, while gonorrhea does not
D) Gonorrhea causes a skin rash, while chlamydia does not
Correct Answer: Gonorrhea causes swollen, painful testicles, while chlamydia does not
Rationale: In men, both chlamydia and gonorrhea can cause penile discharge and dysuria. However,
gonorrhea may also present with swollen, painful testicles, which is not a typical symptom of chlamydia.
5. A patient is diagnosed with syphilis. The nurse understands that the primary stage of syphilis is
characterized by which of the following?
A) A generalized rash and fever
B) A painless chancre at the site of inoculation
C) Neurological and cardiovascular damage
D) A latent period with no symptoms
Correct Answer: A painless chancre at the site of inoculation
, Rationale: The primary stage of syphilis occurs 2-3 weeks after inoculation and is characterized by the
appearance of a painless chancre at the site of infection. The chancre is highly infectious and heals
spontaneously in 3-6 weeks.
6. A patient is diagnosed with secondary syphilis. Which of the following manifestations would the nurse
expect to observe?
A) A painless genital ulcer
B) A systemic rash and flu-like symptoms
C) Aortic aneurysm and tabes dorsalis
D) No signs or symptoms
Correct Answer: A systemic rash and flu-like symptoms
Rationale: Secondary syphilis occurs 1 week to 6 months after the primary chancre appears and is
characterized by a systemic rash, fever, malaise, and lymphadenopathy. The infection becomes systemic
at this stage.
7. A patient is diagnosed with tertiary syphilis. The nurse understands that this stage is characterized by:
A) A painless chancre at the site of infection
B) A systemic rash and fever
C) Inflammation and damage of multiple organs, including the cardiovascular and nervous systems
D) A latent period with no symptoms
Correct Answer: Inflammation and damage of multiple organs, including the cardiovascular and nervous
systems
Rationale: Tertiary syphilis is the late stage of the disease, characterized by inflammation and damage of
multiple organs, including the cardiovascular system (e.g., aortic aneurysm) and the nervous system
(e.g., tabes dorsalis, general paresis).
8. Which of the following diagnostic tests is used to screen for syphilis?
