Nokea
During the admission assessment of an HIV-positive patient whose CD4+ count has recently fallen, the nurse carefully assesses for signs and symptoms related to opportunistic infections. What is the most common life-threatening infection?
- A. Salmonella infection
- B. Mycobacterium tuberculosis
- C. Clostridium difficile
- D. Pneumocystis pneumonia
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: There are a number of opportunistic infections that can infect individuals with AIDS. The most common life-threatening infection in those living with AIDS is Pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP), caused by P. jiroveci (formerly carinii). Other opportunistic infections may involve Salmonella, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, and Clostridium difficile.
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A patient with HIV will be receiving care in the home setting. What aspect of self-care should the nurse emphasize during discharge education?
- A. Appropriate use of prophylactic antibiotics
- B. Importance of personal hygiene
- C. Signs and symptoms of wasting syndrome
- D. Strategies for adjusting antiretroviral dosages
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Infection control is of high importance in patients living with HIV, thus personal hygiene is paramount. This is a more important topic than signs and symptoms of one specific complication (wasting syndrome). Drug dosages should never be independently adjusted. Prophylactic antibiotics are not normally prescribed unless the patients CD4 count is below 50.
An 18-year-old pregnant female has tested positive for HIV and asks the nurse if her baby is going to be born with HIV. What is the nurses best response?
- A. There is no way to know that for certain, but we do know that your baby has a one in four chance of being born with HIV.
- B. Your physician is likely the best one to ask that question.
- C. If the baby is HIV positive there is nothing that can be done until it is born, so try your best not to worry about it now.
- D. Its possible that your baby could contract HIV, either before, during, or after delivery.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Mother-to-child transmission of HIV-1 is possible and may occur in utero, at the time of delivery, or through breast-feeding. There is no evidence that the infants risk is 25%. Deferral to the physician is not a substitute for responding appropriately to the patients concern. Downplaying the patients concerns is inappropriate.
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.
A nurse is working with a patient who was diagnosed with HIV several months earlier. The nurse should recognize that a patient with HIV is considered to have AIDS at the point when the CD4+ T-lymphocyte cell count drops below what threshold?
- A. 75 cells/mm^3 of blood
- B. 200 cells/mm^3 of blood
- C. 325 cells/mm^3 of blood
- D. 450 cells/mm^3 of blood
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: When CD4+ T-cell levels drop below 200 cells/mm^3 of blood, the person is said to have AIDS.
A nurse is assessing the skin integrity of a patient who has AIDS. When performing this inspection, the nurse should prioritize assessment of what skin surfaces?
- A. Perianal region and oral mucosa
- B. Sacral region and lower abdomen
- C. Scalp and skin over the scapulae
- D. Axillae and upper thorax
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The nurse should inspect all the patients skin surfaces and mucous membranes, but the oral mucosa and perianal region are particularly vulnerable to skin breakdown and fungal infection.