ATI Pathophysiology Exam Related

Review ATI Pathophysiology Exam related questions and content

When evaluating the success of adding raltegravir to the drug regimen of a 42-year-old female patient with HIV, which laboratory value should the nurse prioritize?

  • A. The patient's C-reactive protein levels
  • B. The patient's erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR)
  • C. The patient's viral load
  • D. The patient's CD4 count
Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: The patient's viral load. In HIV management, monitoring the viral load is crucial to assess the effectiveness of antiretroviral therapy. A decrease in viral load indicates the treatment's success in controlling the HIV infection. Choices A, B, and D are less relevant in this context. C-reactive protein levels and erythrocyte sedimentation rate are markers of inflammation and non-specific indicators of infection, not specifically for HIV. CD4 count is important but not as immediate for evaluating the response to the newly added medication compared to monitoring the viral load.