Advanced Health Assessment Practice Exam

What characteristic is associated with herpes zoster (shingles)?

1. It crosses the midline of the body

2. It is bilateral in presentation

3. It involves cranial nerve 5

4. It is not painful

The correct answer is: It involves cranial nerve 5

Herpes zoster, commonly known as shingles, is a viral infection characterized by a painful rash that typically appears as a band or strip of blisters on one side of the body. One key characteristic associated with herpes zoster is that it involves dermatomes innervated by sensory nerves of the herpes zoster virus, specifically the varicella-zoster virus (VZV), which can affect cranial nerve 5 (the trigeminal nerve). When this virus reactivates, it often reactivates along a dermatome, and when cranial nerve 5 is involved, it can lead to complications such as zoster ophthalmicus, which can impact the eye and cause significant morbidity. This association with cranial nerve 5 highlights the neurologic aspect of the condition, particularly when there is involvement of the ophthalmic branch, which can lead to serious eye conditions. Other characteristics mentioned in the options do not accurately describe herpes zoster. It typically remains unilateral and does not cross the midline of the body, as it follows the distribution of a single sensory nerve root. It is also characteristically painful, often causing significant discomfort that can be acute and debilitating, and thus the assertion that it is not painful is incorrect.