Infectious Practice Questions Flashcards
Why is it particularly important for the nurse to interview a patient with gonorrhea to identify the patients sexual contacts?
Gonorrhea may be asymptomatic
Which symptoms in a patient with AIDS are most characteristic of Pneumocystis Carinii Pneumonia infection?
Fever, dyspnea, and non-productive cough
What is natural immunity?
resistance to disease that is present at birth
How does the herpes simplex virus, type 2 (HSV-2) survive in the body? The virus
invades nerve ganglia when its replication diminishes
A three-year-old patient is admitted with sepsis and possible Haemophilus influenzae meningitis. Which action should the nurse take prior to initiating the prescribed antibiotic therapy?
Ensure that blood, urine, and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) cultures are obtained.
Which is a clinical manifestation of herpes zoster (shingles)?
vesicles along one side of the thorax
A patient with a urinary tract infection is taking sulfisoxazole (Gantrisin). Why should the nurse increase this patient’s fluid intake?
to prevent crystalluria
The nurse is planning discharge instructions for a patient who has acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). The nurse should stress that disinfection can be effectively achieved in the home by cleaning contaminated surfaces with which substance?
a dilute solution of sodium hypochlorite
The nurse reviews the nutritional history of a 10-year-old child who developed a salmonella infection. Which food is most likely to be the cause of the infection?
cookie dough
Which health problem often precedes the occurrence of rheumatic fever?
streptococcal pharyngitis
Which measure should be included in the nursing management of a patient with pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)?
Maintain semi-Fowler’s position.
A patient with a urinary tract infection (UTI) is seen at a community health center and amoxicillin trihydrate (Amoxil) is prescribed. Three days later, the laboratory report on the patient’s urine specimen reads, “Bacterial count 150,000 colonies per mL. Sensitive to Amoxil. Which statement provides the best interpretation of this report?
The bacterial count is excessive and Amoxil should be continued
Which clinical manifestation is most indicative of Lyme disease in children?
ring-shaped rash
Which observation indicates a urinary tract infection (UTI) in a school-age child?
enuresis
Which infectious disease can be diagnosed through the use of blood studies?
syphilis
The nurse is obtaining a sputum specimen for acid-fast bacillus. Which action will best protect the nurse during this procedure?
Place the specimen container in a sealed plastic bag.
Which person is most likely to have a significant positive response (greater than 9 mm) to the Mantoux test?
a person who has a history of tuberculosis
Which vaccine is contraindicated for a child who is HIV seropositive and severely immunocompromised?
rubella
Which nursing diagnosis should receive priority in the plan of care for a three-month-old infant who has a salmonella infection?
fluid volume deficit
A positive response to which diagnostic test is the best indicator that a patient who is HIV seropositive has tuberculosis?
sputum specimen
Which is the drug of choice for the treatment of streptococcal pharyngitis?
penicillin V potassium (Pen-Vee K)
A patient with chills uses accessory neck muscles to breathe. Chest movement is restricted and inspiratory crackles are heard on auscultation. Which acute condition should the nurse suspect?
pneumonia
What are the initial clinical manifestations of shigella infection?
fever and abdominal cramping
Which information in a patient’s health history indicates that the patient is at risk for infection from hepatitis B?
employed as a dentist
The nurse is assessing a three-year-old patient with upper respiratory symptoms. Which clinical manifestation is indicative of rubeola (measles)?
Koplik’s spots on the buccal mucosa
How is the hepatitis A virus transmitted?
fecal-oral route
The nurse assessing a 9-month-old infant notes paroxysmal cough, wheezing, and a 37.8° C (100.1° F) temperature. The infant’s parents state that they have observed episodes of apnea. Which condition should the nurse suspect?
respiratory syncytial virus
Which is a clinical manifestation of rubella in the prodromal stage?
mild conjunctivitis
Opportunistic infection, such as oral candidiasis, is a common problem associated with which infectious disease?
acquired immunodeficiency syndrome
Why is a one-year-old infant with an upper respiratory infection likely to develop diarrhea?
An infant’s response to infection tends to be generalized.
Which instruction should be included in the discharge plan for patients infected with the herpes simplex virus?
Avoid situations that might result in stress.
The nurse instructs a father regarding care of his six-month-old infant who has viral nasopharyngitis. Which statement by the father indicates the need for further instruction?
“I’m going to ask the doctor to prescribe an antibiotic to help my baby get well.”
Zoster immune globulin is used as prophylaxis against which communicable disease?
varicella
What evidence indicates that trimethoprim and sulfamethoxazole (Bactrim) has been effective in the treatment of a patient with a urinary tract infection (UTI)?
The urine bacterial colony count is <100,000/mL
What is the etiology of rheumatic heart disease?
Group A streptococci affect the heart.
Which method most reliably indicates that a patient has active pulmonary tuberculosis?
sputum culture
Why are antidiarrheal agents contraindicated for patients with salmonellosis?
These drugs can potentially extend the period of infection.
Which data should the nurse expect to find when assessing a female patient who is in the primary stage of syphilis?
a painless chancre on the genitalia
A person who works at which occupation is at increased risk of acquiring hepatitis C?
phlebotomist
Which clinical manifestation is most indicative of a urinary tract infection (UTI)?
frequency
The nurse assesses a patient who has been admitted to the hospital with pyelonephritis. Which nursing diagnosis should receive initial priority?
altered comfort related to inflammatory process
Why is it important to administer an antibiotic, such as penicillin, at equal time intervals?
to maintain constant serum levels
What situation places a person at greatest risk for an infection transmitted by the fecal-oral route?
eating shrimp salad at a picnic
Which health problem may occur if streptococcal pharyngitis remains untreated?
glomerulonephritis
Which disease should the nurse suspect when a child exhibits a white tongue with red papillae and a diffuse red rash under the folds of the joints?
scarlet fever
Which observation is indicative of the onset of sepsis in a patient with a gram-negative infection?
hyperthermia
A child has a family history of convulsions. Which medication should be administered along with the diphtheria and tetanus toxoid, pertussis (DTP) immunization?
acetaminophen
Which drug decreases pain in patients with urinary tract infections (UTIs) by acting as a topical anesthetic?
phenazopyridine hydrochloride (Pyridium)
A fiery red throat is a common sign of which problem?
acute pharyngitis
Which diagnostic test confirms lung consolidation in a patient with pneumonia?
Chest X ray
Which behavior is frequently observed in adolescents who have acquired sexually transmitted diseases?
Adolescents deny having the disease
A patient develops diarrhea several days after being treated for a severe respiratory infection. Which information is needed by the nurse to assess the cause of the diarrhea?
The medications used for tx of the infection
The nurse is reviewing discharge instructions with a patient with a UTI, which instructions should be included?
drink 2 to 3 liters of fluid daily, void every 2 to 3 hours
Which pathophysiological factor accounts for the increased number of opportunistic infections and tumors among patients with AIDS?
A decreased number of T helper cells
The nurse is evaluating a patient who is on warfarin (Coumadin) therapy. Which patient behavior indicates the need for further instructions regarding this medication?
Taking ibuprofen for a headache (NSAIDs, induce gastric irritation and bleeding)
Why should tetanus toxoid be administered to a patient who has a puncture wound?
To stimulate antibody production
The parents of a four year old child who has varicella express concerns about scarring and ask how to best discourage their child from scratching. Which suggestion by the nurse would be most appropriate?
Teach the child to apply pressure to pruritic areas
What is the rationale for using the Mantoux skin test for tuberculosis?
To detect exposure to the TB bacillus
When administering the initial parenteral dose of amphotericin B to treat severe histoplasmosis, the nurse should monitor the patient for which side effects?
shaking chills
