NSG 6320 AGNP Board Exam – Sexually Transmitted Diseases
Assessment Exam
1. Question:
Which is NOT a type of diagnostic test for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)?
Antibody test
Combination antibody and antigen test
Cluster of differentiation 4 (CD4) Correct
Nucleic acid tests (NATs)
Explanation:
Cluster of differentiation 4 (CD4) is a glycoprotein found on the surface of immune cells
such as T-helper cells, monocytes, macrophages, and dendritic cells. CD4 counts are
most often assessed after the diagnosis of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) has
been made. Tests for HIV include the antibody test, combination test, and nucleic acid
tests. The CD4 count results, along with an HIV viral load, are used to evaluate the
immune system of a person diagnosed with HIV infection and to monitor effectiveness
of antiretroviral treatment (ART or ARV), also called highly active antiretroviral
therapy (HAART).
2. Question:
Which sexually transmitted disease (STD) is known as a ‘silent’ infection and often lacks
abnormal physical examination findings?
Syphilis
Chlamydia Correct
Trichomoniasis
Bacterial vaginosis
Explanation:
Chlamydia is known as a ‘silent’ infection because most infected people are
asymptomatic and lack abnormal physical examination findings. A person with
primary syphilis generally has chancres at the original site of infection. Symptoms of
secondary syphilis include skin rash, swollen lymph nodes, and fever. Tertiary syphilis
is associated with severe neurological problems. Trichomoniasis causes burning with
urination, as well as foul smelling vaginal or penile discharge. Bacterial vaginosis (BV)
causes a thin white or gray vaginal discharge, burning in the vagina, and a strong fish-
like odor in women.
3. Question:
What is the gold standard method for diagnosing bacterial vaginosis (BV)?
Bimanual examination
Urine culture
, Gram stain Correct
Rectal examination
Explanation:
A Gram stain (considered the gold standard laboratory method for diagnosing bacterial
vaginosis) is used to determine the relative concentration of lactobacilli (i.e., long gram-
positive rods), gram-negative and gram-variable rods and cocci (i.e., G.
vaginalis, Prevotella, Porphyromonas, and peptostreptococci), and curved gram-
negative rods (i.e., Mobiluncus) characteristic of bacterial vaginosis (BV).
4. Question:
What is the sexually transmitted disease (STD) caused by infection with Haemophilus
ducreyi and characterized by painful necrotizing genital ulcers?
Herpes simplex virus
Chancroid Correct
Syphilis
Herpes zoster
Explanation:
Chancroid is a bacterial sexually transmitted disease (STD) caused by an infection with
Haemophilus ducreyi. It is characterized by painful necrotizing genital ulcers that may
be accompanied by inguinal lymphadenopathy. Herpes simplex is caused by the herpes
simplex virus-type 1 (HSV-1); syphilis is caused by a spirochete called Treponema
pallidum; and herpes zoster is caused by varicella zoster virus.
5. Question:
Which of the following symptoms would be a clinical manifestation noted during the
tertiary stage of syphilis?
A single painless lesion, chancre, on the genital area
Absence of symptoms
Rash marked by red or reddish-brown, penny-sized lesions over the palms and soles
Poor muscle coordination Correct
Explanation:
Syphilis is a sexually transmitted bacterial infection that involves the genitals, skin and
mucous membranes. Signs and symptoms occur in four stages: primary, secondary,
latent, and tertiary. Primary stage symptoms include a single painless lesion, chancre,
on the genitals, rectum, tongue, or lip and enlarged lymph nodes. In the secondary
stage, the rash is marked by red or reddish-brown, penny-sized lesions over any part of
the body including the palms and soles. Fever, fatigue, soreness and aching may also be
present. These symptoms may disappear within weeks or may come and go for a year.
During the latent stage, the symptoms are absent. Symptoms may never recur or they
may progress to the tertiary stage. In the tertiary stage, the symptoms become severe
Assessment Exam
1. Question:
Which is NOT a type of diagnostic test for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)?
Antibody test
Combination antibody and antigen test
Cluster of differentiation 4 (CD4) Correct
Nucleic acid tests (NATs)
Explanation:
Cluster of differentiation 4 (CD4) is a glycoprotein found on the surface of immune cells
such as T-helper cells, monocytes, macrophages, and dendritic cells. CD4 counts are
most often assessed after the diagnosis of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) has
been made. Tests for HIV include the antibody test, combination test, and nucleic acid
tests. The CD4 count results, along with an HIV viral load, are used to evaluate the
immune system of a person diagnosed with HIV infection and to monitor effectiveness
of antiretroviral treatment (ART or ARV), also called highly active antiretroviral
therapy (HAART).
2. Question:
Which sexually transmitted disease (STD) is known as a ‘silent’ infection and often lacks
abnormal physical examination findings?
Syphilis
Chlamydia Correct
Trichomoniasis
Bacterial vaginosis
Explanation:
Chlamydia is known as a ‘silent’ infection because most infected people are
asymptomatic and lack abnormal physical examination findings. A person with
primary syphilis generally has chancres at the original site of infection. Symptoms of
secondary syphilis include skin rash, swollen lymph nodes, and fever. Tertiary syphilis
is associated with severe neurological problems. Trichomoniasis causes burning with
urination, as well as foul smelling vaginal or penile discharge. Bacterial vaginosis (BV)
causes a thin white or gray vaginal discharge, burning in the vagina, and a strong fish-
like odor in women.
3. Question:
What is the gold standard method for diagnosing bacterial vaginosis (BV)?
Bimanual examination
Urine culture
, Gram stain Correct
Rectal examination
Explanation:
A Gram stain (considered the gold standard laboratory method for diagnosing bacterial
vaginosis) is used to determine the relative concentration of lactobacilli (i.e., long gram-
positive rods), gram-negative and gram-variable rods and cocci (i.e., G.
vaginalis, Prevotella, Porphyromonas, and peptostreptococci), and curved gram-
negative rods (i.e., Mobiluncus) characteristic of bacterial vaginosis (BV).
4. Question:
What is the sexually transmitted disease (STD) caused by infection with Haemophilus
ducreyi and characterized by painful necrotizing genital ulcers?
Herpes simplex virus
Chancroid Correct
Syphilis
Herpes zoster
Explanation:
Chancroid is a bacterial sexually transmitted disease (STD) caused by an infection with
Haemophilus ducreyi. It is characterized by painful necrotizing genital ulcers that may
be accompanied by inguinal lymphadenopathy. Herpes simplex is caused by the herpes
simplex virus-type 1 (HSV-1); syphilis is caused by a spirochete called Treponema
pallidum; and herpes zoster is caused by varicella zoster virus.
5. Question:
Which of the following symptoms would be a clinical manifestation noted during the
tertiary stage of syphilis?
A single painless lesion, chancre, on the genital area
Absence of symptoms
Rash marked by red or reddish-brown, penny-sized lesions over the palms and soles
Poor muscle coordination Correct
Explanation:
Syphilis is a sexually transmitted bacterial infection that involves the genitals, skin and
mucous membranes. Signs and symptoms occur in four stages: primary, secondary,
latent, and tertiary. Primary stage symptoms include a single painless lesion, chancre,
on the genitals, rectum, tongue, or lip and enlarged lymph nodes. In the secondary
stage, the rash is marked by red or reddish-brown, penny-sized lesions over any part of
the body including the palms and soles. Fever, fatigue, soreness and aching may also be
present. These symptoms may disappear within weeks or may come and go for a year.
During the latent stage, the symptoms are absent. Symptoms may never recur or they
may progress to the tertiary stage. In the tertiary stage, the symptoms become severe
