Which of the following viruses is associated with Kaposi's sarcoma?

Appeared in: NHM UP Staff Nurse-2023 Shift-2nd

Explanation

The question asks for a virus associated with Kaposi's sarcoma from the given options.
While Human Herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8) is the definitive cause of Kaposi's sarcoma, it is not an option.
Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is the best choice among the given options because it is a common co-infection in the same immunocompromised patient population (e.g., AIDS patients) who are at high risk for Kaposi's sarcoma, establishing a clinical association.

Option A: Rous sarcoma virus (RSV) is a retrovirus known to cause cancer in avian species (chickens), not in humans.
Option B: Oncovirus is a general classification for any cancer-causing virus. It is not a specific virus and is therefore too broad and imprecise.
Option C: Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is a well-known human oncovirus, but it is associated with different malignancies, primarily Burkitt's lymphoma, nasopharyngeal carcinoma, and post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorders.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Association of viruses with human cancers (Viral Oncology) as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
For nurses caring for immunocompromised patients (e.g., those with HIV/AIDS or transplant recipients), understanding the link between viruses and cancer is crucial for assessment and patient education.
The presence of Kaposi's sarcoma lesions should prompt an evaluation of the patient's immune status, particularly for HIV and HHV-8 infection.
What if? If a patient with HIV develops purple, non-blanching skin lesions, the nurse's priority is to report this to the physician for suspected Kaposi's sarcoma and to ensure the patient's antiretroviral therapy (ART) is optimized, as improving immune function is the cornerstone of treatment.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the core concept of the question, which is viral oncology—the link between a specific virus and a specific cancer.
Recall the primary causative agent for Kaposi's sarcoma, which is Human Herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8).
Scan the options to see if HHV-8 is present. In this case, it is not.
When the primary cause is not an option, evaluate the remaining choices for the 'next best' or most plausible association.
Eliminate clearly incorrect options: RSV (affects birds), Oncovirus (too general), and EBV (linked to different cancers).
Select the remaining option, CMV, based on its known clinical association as a common co-infection in the same patient population at risk for Kaposi's sarcoma.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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E6 PATHOLOGY QUICK REVIEWBased on Harsh Mohan Textbook of PATHOLOGY p. 70-72

Practise the full NHM UP Staff Nurse-2023 Shift-2nd

Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.