Adult-Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) Practice Exam

Which statement about cervical adenitis is least accurate?

1. It is rarely due to trauma

2. The most common site is submandibular and anterior cervical

3. Epstein-Barr virus is the most common cause

4. It may be easily mistaken for a goiter or thyroid nodule

The correct answer is: Epstein-Barr virus is the most common cause

Cervical adenitis refers to the inflammation of the cervical lymph nodes, and understanding its common causes is crucial. Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is known to be associated with a variety of clinical conditions, including infectious mononucleosis, but it is not the most common cause of cervical adenitis. Typically, cervical adenitis is more often due to bacterial infections, such as those caused by streptococci or staphylococci, and viral infections like cytomegalovirus or other common upper respiratory viruses. This aligns with the clinical patterns observed in patients presenting with swollen lymph nodes in the cervical region. The other statements hold true in different contexts. Cervical adenitis is indeed rarely caused by trauma, as it primarily results from infections. The most commonly affected areas are the submandibular and anterior cervical lymph nodes, aligning with where lymphatic drainage occurs during infections of the head and neck region. Furthermore, the clinical presentation of cervical adenitis can indeed resemble that of a goiter or thyroid nodule, particularly when lymph nodes are significantly enlarged, leading to diagnostic challenges. Thus, the assertion that EBV is the most common cause of cervical adenitis is the least accurate, given the broader range of more prevalent bacterial and