IGNOU PB. Bsc. Nsg. Entrance-2025
Medical & Surgical Nursing
Easy
Venereal Disease Research Laboratories (VDRL) test is done for screening of:
Appeared in: IGNOU PB. Bsc. Nsg. Entrance-2025
Explanation
- The Venereal Disease Research Laboratory (VDRL) test is a standard screening test specifically for syphilis.
- It is a non-treponemal test, meaning it detects biomarkers (reagin antibodies) that are not specific to the syphilis-causing bacterium, Treponema pallidum.
- A positive (reactive) test is indicated by flocculation (clumping) when the patient's serum is mixed with a cardiolipin antigen.
- Due to its non-specific nature, a reactive VDRL test always requires confirmation with a specific treponemal test (e.g., FTA-ABS).
Why Other Options Were Wrong
- Option A: HIV is screened for using different methods, primarily the ELISA or rapid antibody tests, which detect antibodies specific to the Human Immunodeficiency Virus.
- Option B: Gonorrhoea diagnosis relies on identifying the bacterium Neisseria gonorrhoeae. The gold standard is Nucleic Acid Amplification Tests (NAATs), which are far more sensitive and specific than VDRL.
- Option D: Genital warts are caused by the Human Papillomavirus (HPV). Diagnosis is almost always made through visual clinical inspection. VDRL is a blood test and is irrelevant for this condition.
Related Visual
Clinical Relevance
- Nursing practice connection: Knowing Screening tests for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) helps nurses interpret findings accurately and avoid errors in routine assessment, medication administration, and patient teaching.
- A key nursing role is patient education. When a VDRL test is reactive, the nurse must explain that it is a screening test and that a confirmatory test is required. This helps manage patient anxiety and ensures they complete the necessary follow-up.
- Nurses must be aware of conditions that cause false-positive VDRL results (e.g., pregnancy, autoimmune disease) to better interpret results and provide accurate patient counseling.
- What if? If a pregnant patient has a reactive VDRL, this is a critical finding. The nurse must ensure immediate follow-up for confirmatory testing and potential treatment. Untreated syphilis in pregnancy can lead to congenital syphilis, causing severe health problems or death in the newborn.
How to Approach the Question
- First, identify the key term in the question stem: 'Venereal Disease Research Laboratories (VDRL) test'.
- Recognize this as a factual recall question that links a specific diagnostic test to a disease.
- Access your knowledge base about common laboratory tests for sexually transmitted infections.
- Recall that VDRL is a classic, well-known screening test for Syphilis.
- Systematically evaluate the other options. Recall that HIV is screened with ELISA, Gonorrhoea with NAATs, and Genital Warts are diagnosed clinically. This process of elimination confirms that Syphilis is the only correct answer.
Concept Tested & Keywords
- Concept Tested: Screening tests for sexually transmitted infections (STIs)
- Stem keywords: Venereal Disease Research Laboratories, VDRL test, screening
- Lead-in keywords: done for screening of
Question ID
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Reference Book
E6 Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics(2024) — Volume 1 p. 1258-1260
E6 Robert Boland, Marcia L. Verduin - Kaplan and Sadock's Comprehensive Text of Psychiatry-Wolters Kluwer Health (2024) (pp 1-16525 of 16525) p. 3453-3455
E6 Medicine Davidson Principles Practice 24e p. 359-361
Practise the full IGNOU PB. Bsc. Nsg. Entrance-2025
Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.
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