Nokea
A patient has come into the free clinic asking to be tested for HIV infection. The patient asks the nurse how the test works. The nurse responds that if the testing shows that antibodies to the AIDS virus are present in the blood, this indicates what?
- A. The patient is immune to HIV.
- B. The patients immune system is intact.
- C. The patient has AIDS-related complications.
- D. The patient has been infected with HIV.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Positive test results indicate that antibodies to the AIDS virus are present in the blood. The presence of antibodies does not imply an intact immune system or specific immunity to HIV. This finding does not indicate the presence of AIDS-related complications.
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A patients primary infection with HIV has subsided and an equilibrium now exists between HIV levels and the patients immune response. This physiologic state is known as which of the following?
- A. Static stage
- B. Latent stage
- C. Viral set point
- D. Window period
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The remaining amount of virus in the body after primary infection is referred to as the viral set point, which results in a steady state of infection that lasts for years. This is not known as the static or latent stage. The window period is the time a person infected with HIV tests negative even though he or she is infected.
A patient with AIDS is admitted to the hospital with AIDS-related wasting syndrome and AIDS-related anorexia. What drug has been found to promote significant weight gain in AIDS patients by increasing body fat stores?
- A. Advera
- B. Momordica charantia
- C. Megestrol
- D. Ranitidine
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Megestrol acetate (Megace), a synthetic oral progesterone preparation, promotes significant weight gain. In patients with HIV infection, it increases body weight primarily by increasing body fat stores. Advera is a nutritional supplement that has been developed specifically for people with HIV infection and AIDS. Momordica charantia (bitter melon) is given as an enema and is part of alternative treatment for HIV/AIDS. Ranitidine prevents ulcers.
The nurses plan of care for a patient with stage 3 HIV addresses the diagnosis of Risk for Impaired Skin Integrity Related to Candidiasis. What nursing intervention best addresses this risk?
- A. Providing thorough oral care before and after meals
- B. Administering prophylactic antibiotics
- C. Promoting nutrition and adequate fluid intake
- D. Applying skin emollients as needed
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Thorough mouth care has the potential to prevent or limit the severity of this infection. Antibiotics are irrelevant because of the fungal etiology. The patient requires adequate food and fluids, but these do not necessarily prevent candidiasis. Skin emollients are not appropriate because candidiasis is usually oral.
A patient has been diagnosed with AIDS complicated by chronic diarrhea. What nursing intervention would be appropriate for this patient?
- A. Position the patient in the high Fowlers position whenever possible.
- B. Temporarily eliminate animal protein from the patients diet.
- C. Make sure the patient eats at least two servings of raw fruit each day.
- D. Obtain a stool culture to identify possible pathogens.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: A stool culture should be obtained to determine the possible presence of microorganisms that cause diarrhea. Patients should generally avoid raw fruit when having diarrhea. There is no need to avoid animal protein or increase the height of the patients bed.
A patient with a recent diagnosis of HIV infection expresses an interest in exploring alternative and complementary therapies. How should the nurse best respond?
- A. Complementary therapies generally have not been approved, so patients are usually discouraged from using them.
- B. Researchers have not looked at the benefits of alternative therapy for patients with HIV, so we suggest that you stay away from these therapies until there is solid research data available.
- C. Many patients with HIV use some type of alternative therapy and, as with most health treatments, there are benefits and risks.
- D. Youll need to meet with your doctor to choose between an alternative approach to treatment and a medical approach.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The nurse should approach the topic of alternative or complementary therapies from an open-ended, supportive approach, emphasizing the need to communicate with care providers. Complementary therapies and medical treatment are not mutually exclusive, though some contraindications exist. Research supports the efficacy of some forms of complementary and alternative treatment.