Registered Psychiatric Nurses of Canada Examination (RPNCE) Practice test

What is a key limitation of venous access blood tests for detecting HIV-specific antibodies?

1. Antibodies cannot be detected for up to 2 months

2. False positive results are common

3. Results usually take 6-8 weeks

4. Specimens are easily contaminated

The correct answer is: Antibodies cannot be detected for up to 2 months

The key limitation of venous access blood tests for detecting HIV-specific antibodies is that antibodies cannot be detected for up to 2 months. This phenomenon is related to the window period, which is the time following HIV infection when the body has not yet produced enough antibodies to be detected by standard tests. During this window period, a person may be infected with the virus but still test negative for HIV antibodies, leading to potential delays in diagnosis and treatment. This limitation highlights the importance of considering the timing of testing in relation to potential exposure and the need for follow-up testing after the initial test if there is a risk of recent infection. In contrast, options such as false positives, long turnaround times for results, and contamination are either less common or not specifically related to the fundamental challenges of detecting HIV antibodies in the initial stages of infection. These aspects may affect test outcomes or logistics but do not directly address the critical issue of timing in antibody development post-infection.