What is the expected assessment for a child with warts?

• A. The presence of human papillomavirus
• B. Bacteria
• C. Varicella zoster
• D. Herpes simplex

Answer: (A)

Warts are caused by human papillomavirus infection, so the key thing you’d expect to assess is signs consistent with HPV-caused skin lesions. These warty growths—common on hands, feet, or other exposed areas—reflect the viral infection rather than bacteria or other viruses. In practice, diagnosis is usually clinical, based on the characteristic verrucous appearance, and management focuses on lesions and transmission rather than a bacterial or non-HPV viral illness. The other options point to bacteria or viruses that cause different conditions (bacterial skin infections, varicella zoster for chickenpox/shingles, or herpes simplex for cold sores/genital herpes), not warts.