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After having a positive rapid-antibody test for HIV, a patient is anxious and does not appear to hear what the nurse is saying. Which of the following actions should the nurse implement?
- A. Teach the patient about the medications available for treatment.
- B. Inform the patient how to protect sexual and needle-sharing partners.
- C. Remind the patient about the need to return for retesting to verify the results.
- D. Ask the patient to notify individuals who have had risky contact with the patient.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: After an initial positive antibody test, the next step is retesting to confirm the results. A patient who is anxious is not likely to be able to take in new information or be willing to disclose information about HIV status of other individuals.
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A patient who has vague symptoms of fatigue and headaches is found to have a positive enzyme immunoassay (EIA) for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) antibodies. In providing health teaching, which of the following information should the nurse include?
- A. The EIA test will need to be repeated to verify the results.
- B. A viral culture will be done to determine the progress of the disease.
- C. It will probably be 10 or more years before the patient develops acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS).
- D. The Western blot test will be done to determine whether AIDS has developed.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: After an initial positive EIA test, the EIA is repeated before more specific testing such as the Western blot is done. Viral cultures are not part of HIV testing. Because the nurse does not know how recently the patient was infected, it is not appropriate to predict the time frame for AIDS development. The Western blot tests for HIV antibodies, not for AIDS.
The nurse is caring for a patient with HIV infection who has developed Mycobacterium avium complex infection. Which of the following goals is most appropriate for this patient?
- A. Be free from injury.
- B. Receive immunizations on time.
- C. Ensure adequate oxygenation.
- D. Maintain intact perineal skin.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The major manifestation of M. avium infection is loose, watery stools, which would increase the risk for perineal skin breakdown. The other outcomes would be appropriate for other complications (pneumonia, dementia, influenza, etc.) associated with HIV infection.
The nurse is caring for a patient with HIV who has a CD4+ cell count of 400/?µL. Which of the following factors is most important to consider when determining whether antiretroviral therapy (ART) will be initiated for this patient?
- A. Patient social support system
- B. HIV genotype and phenotype
- C. Potential medication adverse effects
- D. Patient ability to comply with ART schedule
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Drug resistance develops quickly unless the patient takes ART medications on a stringent schedule, and this endangers both the patient and the community. The other information is also important to consider, but patients who are unable to manage and follow a complex drug treatment regimen should not be considered for ART.
Which of the following tests is used to evaluate the effectiveness of ART?
- A. Viral load testing
- B. Enzyme immunoassays
- C. Rapid HIV antibody testing
- D. Immuno-fluorescence assay
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The effectiveness of ART is measured by the decrease in the amount of virus detectable in the blood. The other tests are used to detect HIV antibodies, which remain positive even with effective ART.
A young adult who uses injectable illegal drugs asks the nurse about preventing AIDS. Which of the following information should the nurse inform the patient is the best way to reduce the risk of HIV infection from drug use?
- A. Participate in a needle-exchange program.
- B. Clean drug injection equipment before use.
- C. Ask those who share equipment to be tested for HIV.
- D. Avoid sexual intercourse when using injectable drugs.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Participation in needle and syringe exchange programs has been shown to control the rate of HIV infection. Cleaning drug equipment before use also reduces risk, but it might not be consistently practised by individuals in withdrawal. HIV antibodies do not appear for several weeks to months after exposure, so testing drug users would not be very effective in reducing risk for HIV exposure. It is difficult to make appropriate decisions about sexual activity when under the influence of drugs.