ATI Medsurg Proctored Final Exam Related

Review ATI Medsurg Proctored Final Exam related questions and content

A nurse is presenting a community-based program about HIV and AIDS. A client asks the nurse to describe the initial symptoms experienced with HIV infection. Which of the following manifestations should the nurse include in the explanation of initial symptoms?

  • A. Abdominal cramps and diarrhea
  • B. Persistent cough and chest pain
  • C. Flu-like symptoms and night sweats
  • D. Severe fatigue and weight loss
Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: Flu-like symptoms and night sweats. Initial symptoms of HIV infection often resemble flu-like symptoms such as fever, fatigue, sore throat, swollen lymph nodes, and night sweats. This occurs because the virus is rapidly replicating in the body and the immune system is reacting to it. The other choices, abdominal cramps and diarrhea (A), persistent cough and chest pain (B), and severe fatigue and weight loss (D), are more commonly associated with later stages of HIV infection or other conditions. Therefore, the nurse should include flu-like symptoms and night sweats in the explanation of initial symptoms to accurately inform the client.