Chamberlain NR 324 Exam 2 (pdf) | 2026/2027 | Adult Health I Q&A |
Med-Surg Nursing
1. A nurse is reviewing the laboratory results for a client diagnosed with HIV.
Which of the following laboratory values is a key marker for monitoring the
progression of the disease to AIDS?
A) Viral load
B) CD4+ T-cell count
C) White blood cell count
D) Hemoglobin level
Correct Answer: CD4+ T-cell count
Rationale: A declining CD4+ T-cell count is the primary marker of disease
progression in HIV. A diagnosis of AIDS is made when the CD4+ T-cell count
drops below 200 cells/μL or when an opportunistic infection develops. While
the viral load measures the level of active virus, it is the CD4 count that
directly reflects the state of the immune system.
2. A nurse is providing education to a client diagnosed with HIV about
preventing transmission to others. Which of the following statements by the
client indicates a correct understanding of the prevention strategies?
A) "As long as I am taking my antiretroviral therapy, I cannot transmit the
virus."
B) "I can stop using condoms now that my viral load is undetectable."
C) "I should use condoms consistently and correctly, even if my viral load is
undetectable."
D) "I am only infectious during the symptomatic stage of the infection."
Correct Answer: "I should use condoms consistently and correctly, even if my
viral load is undetectable."
,Rationale: While antiretroviral therapy (ART) and an undetectable viral load
significantly reduce the risk of transmission, consistent and correct condom
use remains a key component of prevention. Transmission can still occur
through blood, semen, vaginal secretions, and breast milk.
3. A nurse is reviewing the phases of HIV infection with a client. The nurse
identifies that the period immediately following initial infection, characterized
by a high viral load, is known as:
A) The clinical latency stage
B) The symptomatic infection stage
C) The acute infection stage
D) The AIDS stage
Correct Answer: The acute infection stage
Rationale: The acute infection stage occurs during the first 2-4 weeks after
initial infection. During this time, there is a very high viral load, and the
individual is most infectious. This stage is followed by the clinical latency
(asymptomatic) stage.
4. A client with HIV is prescribed antiretroviral therapy (ART). The nurse
explains that the primary purpose of ART is to:
A) Cure the client of the HIV infection
B) Prevent the transmission of HIV to others
C) Suppress the replication of HIV and preserve immune function
D) Treat opportunistic infections that have already developed
Correct Answer: Suppress the replication of HIV and preserve immune
function
,Rationale: Antiretroviral therapy (ART) is used to suppress the replication of
HIV, which helps to preserve immune function, prevent disease progression,
and reduce the risk of transmission. It is not a cure but a lifelong treatment.
5. A nurse is caring for a client with HIV who develops an opportunistic
infection. The nurse understands that the primary cause of disease,
disability, and death in clients with HIV is:
A) The HIV virus itself
B) The adverse effects of antiretroviral therapy
C) Opportunistic diseases
D) The development of anemia
Correct Answer: Opportunistic diseases
Rationale: Opportunistic infections and cancers are the main cause of
disease, disability, and death in clients with HIV. These occur because the
immune system is compromised and can no longer fight off pathogens that a
healthy immune system would normally control.
6. A nurse is planning care for a client with HIV who has a CD4+ T-cell count
of 150 cells/μL. Which of the following interventions should the nurse
prioritize?
A) Administering prescribed antiretroviral therapy
B) Implementing strict infection control precautions
C) Monitoring for signs of opportunistic infections
D) Providing nutritional support
Correct Answer: Monitoring for signs of opportunistic infections
, Rationale: A client with a CD4 count < 200 cells/μL meets the criteria for an
AIDS diagnosis and is at significant risk for opportunistic infections. The
priority is to monitor for early signs and symptoms of infection, as these can
be life-threatening.
7. A nurse is assessing a client with HIV. The client reports persistent fever,
night sweats, and chronic diarrhea. The nurse recognizes these symptoms as
being most consistent with which stage of HIV infection?
A) Acute infection
B) Clinical latency
C) Symptomatic infection
D) AIDS
Correct Answer: Symptomatic infection
Rationale: Persistent fever, night sweats, chronic diarrhea, recurrent
headaches, and severe fatigue are symptoms associated with the
symptomatic infection stage of HIV. This stage occurs as the CD4 count
declines and the viral load increases.
8. A nurse is teaching a client about preexposure prophylaxis (PrEP). The
nurse should include that PrEP is a strategy used to reduce the risk of:
A) Acquiring HIV
B) Transmitting HIV
C) Developing an opportunistic infection
D) Experiencing adverse effects of ART
Correct Answer: Acquiring HIV
Med-Surg Nursing
1. A nurse is reviewing the laboratory results for a client diagnosed with HIV.
Which of the following laboratory values is a key marker for monitoring the
progression of the disease to AIDS?
A) Viral load
B) CD4+ T-cell count
C) White blood cell count
D) Hemoglobin level
Correct Answer: CD4+ T-cell count
Rationale: A declining CD4+ T-cell count is the primary marker of disease
progression in HIV. A diagnosis of AIDS is made when the CD4+ T-cell count
drops below 200 cells/μL or when an opportunistic infection develops. While
the viral load measures the level of active virus, it is the CD4 count that
directly reflects the state of the immune system.
2. A nurse is providing education to a client diagnosed with HIV about
preventing transmission to others. Which of the following statements by the
client indicates a correct understanding of the prevention strategies?
A) "As long as I am taking my antiretroviral therapy, I cannot transmit the
virus."
B) "I can stop using condoms now that my viral load is undetectable."
C) "I should use condoms consistently and correctly, even if my viral load is
undetectable."
D) "I am only infectious during the symptomatic stage of the infection."
Correct Answer: "I should use condoms consistently and correctly, even if my
viral load is undetectable."
,Rationale: While antiretroviral therapy (ART) and an undetectable viral load
significantly reduce the risk of transmission, consistent and correct condom
use remains a key component of prevention. Transmission can still occur
through blood, semen, vaginal secretions, and breast milk.
3. A nurse is reviewing the phases of HIV infection with a client. The nurse
identifies that the period immediately following initial infection, characterized
by a high viral load, is known as:
A) The clinical latency stage
B) The symptomatic infection stage
C) The acute infection stage
D) The AIDS stage
Correct Answer: The acute infection stage
Rationale: The acute infection stage occurs during the first 2-4 weeks after
initial infection. During this time, there is a very high viral load, and the
individual is most infectious. This stage is followed by the clinical latency
(asymptomatic) stage.
4. A client with HIV is prescribed antiretroviral therapy (ART). The nurse
explains that the primary purpose of ART is to:
A) Cure the client of the HIV infection
B) Prevent the transmission of HIV to others
C) Suppress the replication of HIV and preserve immune function
D) Treat opportunistic infections that have already developed
Correct Answer: Suppress the replication of HIV and preserve immune
function
,Rationale: Antiretroviral therapy (ART) is used to suppress the replication of
HIV, which helps to preserve immune function, prevent disease progression,
and reduce the risk of transmission. It is not a cure but a lifelong treatment.
5. A nurse is caring for a client with HIV who develops an opportunistic
infection. The nurse understands that the primary cause of disease,
disability, and death in clients with HIV is:
A) The HIV virus itself
B) The adverse effects of antiretroviral therapy
C) Opportunistic diseases
D) The development of anemia
Correct Answer: Opportunistic diseases
Rationale: Opportunistic infections and cancers are the main cause of
disease, disability, and death in clients with HIV. These occur because the
immune system is compromised and can no longer fight off pathogens that a
healthy immune system would normally control.
6. A nurse is planning care for a client with HIV who has a CD4+ T-cell count
of 150 cells/μL. Which of the following interventions should the nurse
prioritize?
A) Administering prescribed antiretroviral therapy
B) Implementing strict infection control precautions
C) Monitoring for signs of opportunistic infections
D) Providing nutritional support
Correct Answer: Monitoring for signs of opportunistic infections
, Rationale: A client with a CD4 count < 200 cells/μL meets the criteria for an
AIDS diagnosis and is at significant risk for opportunistic infections. The
priority is to monitor for early signs and symptoms of infection, as these can
be life-threatening.
7. A nurse is assessing a client with HIV. The client reports persistent fever,
night sweats, and chronic diarrhea. The nurse recognizes these symptoms as
being most consistent with which stage of HIV infection?
A) Acute infection
B) Clinical latency
C) Symptomatic infection
D) AIDS
Correct Answer: Symptomatic infection
Rationale: Persistent fever, night sweats, chronic diarrhea, recurrent
headaches, and severe fatigue are symptoms associated with the
symptomatic infection stage of HIV. This stage occurs as the CD4 count
declines and the viral load increases.
8. A nurse is teaching a client about preexposure prophylaxis (PrEP). The
nurse should include that PrEP is a strategy used to reduce the risk of:
A) Acquiring HIV
B) Transmitting HIV
C) Developing an opportunistic infection
D) Experiencing adverse effects of ART
Correct Answer: Acquiring HIV
