PATHO PRACTICE EXAM
2026 PATHO PRACTICE EXAM TEST BANK
PREP VERIFIED QUESTIONS AND
CORRECT DETAILED ANSWERS WITH
DETAILED RATIONALES GRADED A+
GUARANTEED PASS ACE YOUR EXAM
A client reports to the health care clinic for testing for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)
immediately after being exposed to HIV. The test results are negative, and the client expresses relief
about not contracted HIV. What should the nurse emphasize when explaining the test results to the
client?
1.No further testing is needed.
A+ TEST BANK 1
, PATHO PRACTICE EXAM
2.The test should be repeated in 1 month.
3.A negative HIV test result is considered accurate.
4.A negative HIV test result is not considered accurate immediately after exposure.
4
Rationale:
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) can cause acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, which is a viral
disease that destroys T cells, thereby increasing susceptibility to infection and malignancy. A test for
HIV should be repeated if results are negative. Seroconversion is the point at which antibodies appear in
the blood. The average time for seroconversion is 2 months, with a range of 2 to 10 months. For this
reason, a negative HIV test result is not considered accurate immediately after exposure. The remaining
options are incorrect.
A client is tested for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection with an enzyme-linked
immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and the test result is positive. What should the nurse tell the client?
1.HIV infection has been confirmed.
2.The client probably has a gastrointestinal infection.
3.The test will need to be confirmed with a Western blot.
4.A positive test result is normal and does not mean that the client has acquired HIV.
3
Rationale:
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) can cause acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, which is a viral
disease that destroys T cells, thereby increasing susceptibility to infection and malignancy. A negative
result on an ELISA indicates that infection is absent or that not enough time has passed since exposure
for seroconversion. A positive ELISA result must be confirmed with a Western blot. The other options
are incorrect.
A CD4+ lymphocyte count is performed in a client with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection.
When providing education about the testing, what should the nurse tell the client?
1."It establishes the stage of HIV infection."
2."It confirms the presence of HIV infection."
A+ TEST BANK 2
, PATHO PRACTICE EXAM
3."It identifies the cell-associated proviral DNA."
4."It determines the presence of HIV antibodies in the bloodstream."
1
Rationale:
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) can cause acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, which is a viral
disease that destroys T cells, thereby increasing susceptibility to infection and malignancy. A CD4+
lymphocyte count is performed to establish the stage of HIV infection, to help with decisions regarding
the timing of initiation of antiretroviral therapy and prophylaxis for opportunistic infections and to
monitor treatment effectiveness. The remaining options are unrelated to the CD4+ lymphocyte count.
A client with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection has a fever, and histoplasmosis is
suspected. The nurse should prepare the client for which diagnostic test to confirm the presence of
histoplasmosis?
1.Skin biopsy
2.Sputum culture
3.Western blot test
4.Upper gastrointestinal series
2
Rationale:
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) can cause acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, which is a viral
disease that destroys T cells, thereby increasing susceptibility to infection and malignancy.
Histoplasmosis is an opportunistic infection that affects the lungs and can occur in the client with HIV
infection. Diagnostic tests include chest x-ray, sputum culture, lung biopsy, and bronchoscopy. The
other options are incorrect. A Western blot test is used to confirm a diagnosis of HIV. A skin biopsy
may be done if the client had Kaposi's sarcoma. Gastrointestinal series are done for a client suspected to
have a gastrointestinal disorder.
The nurse reviews the record of a client with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) and notes
that the client has a diagnosis of Candida. When performing history-taking and assessment, which
finding should the nurse anticipate?
A+ TEST BANK 3
, PATHO PRACTICE EXAM
1.Hyperactive bowel sounds
2.Complaints of watery diarrhea
3.Red lesions on the upper arms
4.Yellowish-white, curdlike patches in the oral cavity
4
Rationale:
Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome is a viral disease caused by the human immunodeficiency virus
(HIV), which destroys T cells, thereby increasing susceptibility to infection and malignancy. Candidiasis
is caused by Candida albicans, which is a part of the intestinal tract's natural flora. Fungal infection
occurs by overgrowth of normal body flora. In a person with AIDS, candidiasis (overgrowth of the
Candida fungus) occurs because the immune system can no longer control fungal growth. Candida
stomatitis or esophagitis occurs often in AIDS. On examination of the mouth and throat, the nurse
would note cottage cheese-like, yellowish white plaques and inflammation. The remaining options are
not findings in this disorder.
The nurse is assigned to care for a client with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. The
nurse reviews the client's health care record and notes documentation of toxoplasmosis encephalitis. On
the basis of this information, the nurse would assess for which manifestation?
1.Lesions on the skin
2.Mental status changes
3.Changes in bowel pattern
4.Lesions on the oral mucosa
2
Rationale:
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) can cause acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, which is a viral
disease that destroys T cells, thereby increasing susceptibility to infection and malignancy.
Toxoplasmosis encephalitis, caused by Toxoplasma gondii, is acquired through contact with
contaminated cat feces or by ingesting infected undercooked meat. It manifests with signs and
symptoms such as an altered mental status, neurological deficits, headaches, and fever. Additional
manifestations include difficulties with speech, gait, and vision; and seizures.The other options are not
associated with toxoplasmosis.
A+ TEST BANK 4
2026 PATHO PRACTICE EXAM TEST BANK
PREP VERIFIED QUESTIONS AND
CORRECT DETAILED ANSWERS WITH
DETAILED RATIONALES GRADED A+
GUARANTEED PASS ACE YOUR EXAM
A client reports to the health care clinic for testing for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)
immediately after being exposed to HIV. The test results are negative, and the client expresses relief
about not contracted HIV. What should the nurse emphasize when explaining the test results to the
client?
1.No further testing is needed.
A+ TEST BANK 1
, PATHO PRACTICE EXAM
2.The test should be repeated in 1 month.
3.A negative HIV test result is considered accurate.
4.A negative HIV test result is not considered accurate immediately after exposure.
4
Rationale:
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) can cause acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, which is a viral
disease that destroys T cells, thereby increasing susceptibility to infection and malignancy. A test for
HIV should be repeated if results are negative. Seroconversion is the point at which antibodies appear in
the blood. The average time for seroconversion is 2 months, with a range of 2 to 10 months. For this
reason, a negative HIV test result is not considered accurate immediately after exposure. The remaining
options are incorrect.
A client is tested for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection with an enzyme-linked
immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and the test result is positive. What should the nurse tell the client?
1.HIV infection has been confirmed.
2.The client probably has a gastrointestinal infection.
3.The test will need to be confirmed with a Western blot.
4.A positive test result is normal and does not mean that the client has acquired HIV.
3
Rationale:
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) can cause acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, which is a viral
disease that destroys T cells, thereby increasing susceptibility to infection and malignancy. A negative
result on an ELISA indicates that infection is absent or that not enough time has passed since exposure
for seroconversion. A positive ELISA result must be confirmed with a Western blot. The other options
are incorrect.
A CD4+ lymphocyte count is performed in a client with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection.
When providing education about the testing, what should the nurse tell the client?
1."It establishes the stage of HIV infection."
2."It confirms the presence of HIV infection."
A+ TEST BANK 2
, PATHO PRACTICE EXAM
3."It identifies the cell-associated proviral DNA."
4."It determines the presence of HIV antibodies in the bloodstream."
1
Rationale:
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) can cause acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, which is a viral
disease that destroys T cells, thereby increasing susceptibility to infection and malignancy. A CD4+
lymphocyte count is performed to establish the stage of HIV infection, to help with decisions regarding
the timing of initiation of antiretroviral therapy and prophylaxis for opportunistic infections and to
monitor treatment effectiveness. The remaining options are unrelated to the CD4+ lymphocyte count.
A client with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection has a fever, and histoplasmosis is
suspected. The nurse should prepare the client for which diagnostic test to confirm the presence of
histoplasmosis?
1.Skin biopsy
2.Sputum culture
3.Western blot test
4.Upper gastrointestinal series
2
Rationale:
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) can cause acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, which is a viral
disease that destroys T cells, thereby increasing susceptibility to infection and malignancy.
Histoplasmosis is an opportunistic infection that affects the lungs and can occur in the client with HIV
infection. Diagnostic tests include chest x-ray, sputum culture, lung biopsy, and bronchoscopy. The
other options are incorrect. A Western blot test is used to confirm a diagnosis of HIV. A skin biopsy
may be done if the client had Kaposi's sarcoma. Gastrointestinal series are done for a client suspected to
have a gastrointestinal disorder.
The nurse reviews the record of a client with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) and notes
that the client has a diagnosis of Candida. When performing history-taking and assessment, which
finding should the nurse anticipate?
A+ TEST BANK 3
, PATHO PRACTICE EXAM
1.Hyperactive bowel sounds
2.Complaints of watery diarrhea
3.Red lesions on the upper arms
4.Yellowish-white, curdlike patches in the oral cavity
4
Rationale:
Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome is a viral disease caused by the human immunodeficiency virus
(HIV), which destroys T cells, thereby increasing susceptibility to infection and malignancy. Candidiasis
is caused by Candida albicans, which is a part of the intestinal tract's natural flora. Fungal infection
occurs by overgrowth of normal body flora. In a person with AIDS, candidiasis (overgrowth of the
Candida fungus) occurs because the immune system can no longer control fungal growth. Candida
stomatitis or esophagitis occurs often in AIDS. On examination of the mouth and throat, the nurse
would note cottage cheese-like, yellowish white plaques and inflammation. The remaining options are
not findings in this disorder.
The nurse is assigned to care for a client with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. The
nurse reviews the client's health care record and notes documentation of toxoplasmosis encephalitis. On
the basis of this information, the nurse would assess for which manifestation?
1.Lesions on the skin
2.Mental status changes
3.Changes in bowel pattern
4.Lesions on the oral mucosa
2
Rationale:
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) can cause acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, which is a viral
disease that destroys T cells, thereby increasing susceptibility to infection and malignancy.
Toxoplasmosis encephalitis, caused by Toxoplasma gondii, is acquired through contact with
contaminated cat feces or by ingesting infected undercooked meat. It manifests with signs and
symptoms such as an altered mental status, neurological deficits, headaches, and fever. Additional
manifestations include difficulties with speech, gait, and vision; and seizures.The other options are not
associated with toxoplasmosis.
A+ TEST BANK 4
