Nokea
A client with acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) is hospitalized with Pneumocystis jiroveci pneumonia and is started on the drug of choice for this infection. What laboratory values should the nurse report to the provider as a priority? (Select all that apply.)
- A. Opportunistic infections and cancer are leading causes of death.
- B. Positive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) test for human immune deficiency virus (HIV).
- C. Taking antiretroviral medications.
- D. Elevated liver enzymes.
- E. Serum sodium: 120 mEq/L.
Correct Answer: A,D,E
Rationale: The drug of choice to treat Pneumocystis jiroveci pneumonia is trimethoprim with sulfamethoxazole (Septra). Side effects of this drug include hepatitis, hyponatremia, and thrombocytopenia. The elevated liver enzymes and low serum sodium should all be reported. Opportunistic infections and cancer are not laboratory values, and a positive ELISA test and antiretroviral medications are expected in this context.
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Which findings are AIDS-defining characteristics? (Select all that apply.)
- A. CD4+ cell count less than 200/mm3 or less than 14%.
- B. Infection with human immune deficiency virus.
- C. Positive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) test for human immune deficiency virus (HIV).
- D. Presence of HIV wasting syndrome.
- E. Taking antiretroviral medications.
Correct Answer: A,B,D
Rationale: A human with HIV/AIDS requires that the person be HIV positive and have either a CD4+ T-cell count of less than 200 cells/mm3 or less than 14% (even if the total CD4+ count is above 200 cells/mm3) or an opportunistic infection such as Pneumocystis jiroveci or HIV wasting syndrome. Having a positive ELISA test and taking antiretroviral medications are not AIDS-defining characteristics.
A client has just been diagnosed with human immune deficiency virus (HIV). The client is distraught and does not know what to do. What action by the nurse is best?
- A. Assess the client for support systems.
- B. Determine if a clergy member would help.
- C. Provide detailed information about HIV treatment.
- D. Offer to tell the family for the client.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: This client needs the assistance of support systems. The nurse should help the client identify them and what role they can play in supporting him or her. A clergy member may or may not be welcome. Providing detailed information may be overwhelming at this stage, and the client may not want the family to know.
The nurse is caring for a client diagnosed with human immune deficiency virus. The client's CD4+ cell count is 180/mm3 and a negative tuberculosis (TB) skin test 4 days ago. What action should the nurse take first?
- A. Initiate Droplet Precautions for the client.
- B. Notify the provider about the CD4+ results.
- C. Place the client under Airborne Precautions.
- D. Use Standard Precautions to provide care.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Since this client's CD4+ cell count is low, he or she may have anergy, or the inability to mount an immune response to the TB test. The nurse should first place the client on Airborne Precautions to prevent the spread of TB if it is present. Next, the nurse notifies the provider about the low CD4+ count and requests alternative testing for TB. Standard Precautions are not adequate in this case.
A nurse is talking with a client about a negative enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) test for human immune deficiency virus (HIV) antibodies. The test is negative and the client states, 'Whew! I was really worried about that result.' What action by the nurse is most important?
- A. Assess the client's sexual activity and patterns.
- B. Encourage the client to maintain regular check-ups.
- C. Remind the client about safer sex practices.
- D. Tell the client to be retested in 2 months.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The ELISA test can be falsely negative if testing occurs after the client has become infected but prior to developing antibodies to HIV. This period of time is known as the window period and can last up to 2 months. The nurse needs to assess the client's sexual behavior further to determine the proper response. Discussing safer sex practices is always appropriate, but assessing sexual activity is the priority to determine the risk of a false negative.
Which statements are true about human immune deficiency virus (HIV)? (Select all that apply.)
- A. In HIV, CD4+ cells begin to create new HIV particles.
- B. Antibodies the client produces are incomplete and do not interact with macrophages.
- C. Macrophages also stop functioning properly.
- D. Opportunistic infections and cancer are leading causes of death.
- E. People with stage 1 HIV disease are not infectious to others.
Correct Answer: A,B,C,D
Rationale: In HIV, CD4+ cells begin to create new HIV particles. Antibodies the client produces are incomplete and do not interact with macrophages. Macrophages also stop functioning properly. Opportunistic infections and cancer are the two leading causes of death in clients with HIV infection. People infected with HIV are infectious in all stages of the disease.