NURS 6501: Final Exam: Please contact Assignment Samurai for help with NURS 6501: Final Exam or any other assignment. Email: assignmentsamurai@gmail.com A patient presents with clusters of painful vesicles on the genitalia. Laboratory tests confirm the presence of a viral infection. What type of virus is responsible for these symptoms? Group of answer choices

• Retrovirus
• Double-stranded DNA virus
• Double-stranded RNA virus
• Single-stranded RNA virus

The correct answer is: Double-stranded DNA virus   Explanation: The clinical presentation of painful genital vesicles is classic for herpes simplex virus (HSV) infection, most commonly HSV-2 (though HSV-1 can also cause genital herpes). Key Features of HSV:

• Virus type: HSV is a double-stranded DNA virus (family Herpesviridae).
• Transmission: Sexual contact or direct mucosal/skin exposure.
• Symptoms:
  • Clusters of painful vesicles that ulcerate and crust over.
  • May include prodromal tingling, itching, or burning.
  • Recurrent outbreaks possible due to viral latency in nerve ganglia.

Why Not the Others?

• Retrovirus (e.g., HIV): Causes systemic immunosuppression, not localized vesicular lesions.
• Double-stranded RNA virus (e.g., rotavirus): Primarily causes gastroenteritis.
• Single-stranded RNA virus (e.g., HCV, influenza): Not associated with genital vesicular rashes.

Thus, HSV (a double-stranded DNA virus) is the causative agent.