Nokea
A client who is HIV positive is taking zidovudine. Which adverse effects should the nurse closely monitor for in this client?
- A. Peripheral neuropathy
- B. Circumoral paresthesia
- C. Alterations in the renal function
- D. Pancreatitis
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: A common adverse effect associated with the administration of zidovudine is peripheral neuropathy. The drug does not cause circumoral paresthesia, alterations in the renal function, or pancreatitis.
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The nurse is talking with a group of teens about transmission of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). What body fluid(s) does the nurse inform them will transmit the virus? Select all that apply.
- A. Semen
- B. Urine
- C. Breast milk
- D. Blood
- E. Vaginal secretions
Correct Answer: A,C,D,E
Rationale: There are only four known body fluids through which HIV is transmitted: blood, semen, vaginal secretions, and breast milk. HIV may be present in saliva, tears, and conjunctival secretions, but transmission of HIV through these fluids has not been implicated. HIV is not found in urine, stool, vomit, or sweat.
A client with AIDS is admitted to the hospital with severe diarrhea and dehydration. The physician suspects an infection with Cryptosporidium. What type of specimen should be collected to confirm this diagnosis?
- A. Urine specimen for culture and sensitivity
- B. Blood specimen for electrolyte studies
- C. Stool specimen for ova and parasites
- D. Sputum specimen for acid fast bacillus
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: A stool specimen for ova and parasites will give a definitive diagnosis. The organism is spread by the fecal-oral route from contaminated water, food, or human or animal waste. Those infected can lose from 10 to 20 L of fluid per day. Losing this magnitude of fluid quickly leads to dehydration and electrolyte imbalances.
A client tells the nurse, 'You know I have AIDS. I still cannot afford to tell my employer because they will probably cancel my health insurance, then what would I do?' What is the best response by the nurse?
- A. An employer cannot cancel your currently active health insurance on the basis of AIDS.'
- B. I just wouldn't tell them. It is none of their business.'
- C. You have to tell them, it is not your right to allow them exposure to you. What if you give it to someone?'
- D. I understand your dilemma, but I think you should tell them. I would want to know.'
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Despite HIV-specific confidentially laws, clients infected with AIDS fear that disclosure of their condition will affect employment, health insurance coverage, and even housing. An employer cannot cancel a client's currently active health insurance policy on the basis of AIDS. However, employers are more apt to dismiss a worker with a known HIV-positive status from employment to reduce future insurance premiums and death payments. The other answers are nontherapeutic and not based in fact.
A woman infected with HIV comes into the clinic. What symptoms may be the focus of a medical complaint in women infected with HIV?
- A. Rashes on the face, trunk, palms, and soles
- B. Muscle and joint pain
- C. Gynecologic problems
- D. Weight loss
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: In women with HIV, gynecologic problems, such as abnormal results of Papanicolaou tests, genital warts, pelvic inflammatory disease, and persistent vaginitis may be the focus of a majority of complaints. Acute retroviral syndrome (viremia) may be the chief complaint in one third to more than one half of those infected, not necessarily women. Its manifestations include rashes, muscle and joint pain, and weight loss.
A client with suspected exposure to HIV has been tested with the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) with positive results twice. The next step for the nurse to explain to the client for confirmation of the diagnosis is to perform what?
- A. p24 antigen test for confirmation of diagnosis.
- B. Western blot test for confirmation of diagnosis.
- C. polymerase chain reaction test for confirmation of diagnosis.
- D. T4-cell count for confirmation of diagnosis.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) test, an initial HIV screening test, is positive when there are sufficient HIV antibodies; it also is positive when there are antibodies from other infectious diseases. The test is repeated if results are positive. If results of a second ELISA test are positive, the Western blot is performed. The p24 antigen test and the polymerase chain reaction test determine the viral load, and the T4-cell count is not used for diagnostic confirmation of the presence of HIV in the blood.