Question 1

The client asks the nurse why there aren't better drugs for HIV infection when so much money is spent on research. What is the best response by the nurse?

Accepted Answer

HIV mutates rapidly, which makes it challenging to develop drugs that remain effective over time.

Question 2

Which teaching point by the nurse is correct in regards to antiviral therapy?

Accepted Answer

Antiviral drugs target viral mechanisms within host cells, making it challenging to kill the virus without affecting the host's normal cells. This is because viruses use the host's cellular machinery for replication, so targeting the virus often means affecting the cell's normal functions as well.

Question 3

The client with AIDS asks the nurse why so many medications are prescribed. What is the best response by the nurse?

Accepted Answer

Taking multiple medications at the same time can reduce the likelihood of the virus developing resistance to any one medication. This is commonly referred to as combination therapy, and it is a standard approach in treating many infections.

Answer: C 
 The ultimate goal of prescribing multiple medications to a patient with AIDS is to provide the most effective treatment possible. Combining different drugs that have different mechanisms of action can help address the patient's illness from multiple angles, increasing the chances of success.

Therefore, the best choices are A and C.

Question 4

What does the nurse teach a client about the transmission of HIV?

Accepted Answer

HIV is primarily transmitted through exposure to blood or semen during sexual contact, sharing of needles, or mother-to-child during pregnancy, childbirth, or breastfeeding. Exposure to respiratory secretions, fecal material, or contaminated food is not a common mode of transmission for HIV.

Question 5

A client is started on Zidovudine (AZT, Retrovir), a NNRTI. Which medication should the nurse question before giving it with Retrovir?

Accepted Answer

Zidovudine (AZT, Retrovir) can increase the risk of bleeding when used with ASA, which is also a blood thinner. Therefore, the nurse should question the use of ASA before administering it with Retrovir.

Question 6

The nurse is teaching a client about the standard drug therapy for HIV-AIDS. Which antiviral medications does the nurse include in the teaching plan?

Accepted Answer

Zidovudine (Retrovir, AZT) is one of the standard drugs used in the treatment of HIV-AIDS. Interferon-alfa may be used to treat hepatitis B and C, but it is not typically used as a standard drug therapy for HIV-AIDS. Rimantadine is an antiviral medication used to prevent and treat influenza A, and acyclovir is used to treat herpes viral infections, but neither are standard drugs used in the treatment of HIV-AIDS.

Question 7

Postexposure prophylaxis (PEP) for occupational HIV exposure should be started within what time period after exposure to be most successful?

Accepted Answer

Postexposure prophylaxis (PEP) for occupational HIV exposure should be started within 24-36 hours after exposure to be most successful. Delaying initiation of PEP reduces its efficacy. Therefore, it is recommended to initiate PEP as soon as possible after exposure, preferably within the first 24 hours.

Question 8

When discussing antiviral drug resistance with a client initiating pharmacotherapy, what does the nurse explain is the reason for drug resistance in certain medicines?

Accepted Answer

Drug resistance in antiviral medications is caused by mutations that can occur in the virus, which makes it more difficult for the drug to effectively target and destroy the virus.

Question 9

PEP is initiated only if exposure is severe, and the source of fluid is known or strongly suspected to contain HIV? What is the rationale for this?

Accepted Answer

The cost of the drugs is high, and there are many adverse effects, so PEP is reserved for situations with a significant risk of HIV transmission.

Question 10

When the client is started on antiretroviral drugs for HIV, what important information should the nurse teach the client?

Accepted Answer

Antiretroviral drugs used for HIV are not a cure, but they can slow the progression of the disease and extend the client's life expectancy. It is important for the nurse to educate the client that they will need to continue taking the medication as prescribed even if they start feeling better, and that they will need to continue using safe sex practices to prevent the transmission of the virus to others.

Question 11

MCSA Nursing students are asked to answer this question on their final exam. What is the best way to describe how antivirals are classified. Which response is accurate?

Accepted Answer

Antivirals are classified according to the virus they are targeting. This classification is based on the fact that different viruses require different treatments, and antivirals are developed to specifically target certain viruses. For example, a different antiviral is used to treat the flu virus compared to the herpes virus, and these drugs have different mechanisms of action. Therefore, it is important to know which virus is causing the infection before prescribing the appropriate antiviral medication.

Question 12

The nurse is teaching a client about the goals of drug therapy for HIV-AIDS. Which statement by the client indicates the need for further teaching?

Accepted Answer

Currently, there is no cure for HIV-AIDS, so the goal of drug therapy is not to cure the disease but to manage it effectively. All of the other statements are accurate goals of drug therapy for HIV-AIDS.

Question 13

The nurse accidentally sticks herself with a needle after starting an intravenous line on a client with AIDS. The nurse tells the supervisor about the accident. What is the best initial response by the supervisor to decrease anxiety in the nurse?

Accepted Answer

This response is the best initial response because it provides reassurance to the nurse that the risk of contracting HIV after a needlestick injury is very small. This will help decrease anxiety in the nurse. Workers compensation (A) may be important information to provide but may not be the best initial response. While starting medications early (C) is important in the management of HIV, this response may increase anxiety by implying that the nurse has already contracted the disease. Questioning whether the hospital protocols were followed (D) may be important to prevent future needlestick injuries, but is not the best initial response for decreasing anxiety in the nurse.

Question 14

How is the gradual destruction of the immune system measured during the progression of HIV to AIDS?

Accepted Answer

The decline in CD4 lymphocytes is the best measure for the gradual destruction of the immune system during the progression of HIV to AIDS. CD4 lymphocytes are a crucial component of the immune system that help fight off infections. As HIV attacks and kills these cells, the immune system becomes weaker and less effective, making the person more susceptible to infections and illnesses. Monitoring CD4 lymphocyte levels is therefore an important way to track the progression of HIV and the development of AIDS.

Question 15

An occupational health nurse is evaluating the risk of a health care worker exposed to HIV by a needle stick. The nurse initiates basic PEP because the source person's viral load is below _____ HIV RNA copies/mL.

Accepted Answer

The answer of An occupational health nurse is evaluating the...

Question 16

The nurse is providing discharge teaching to a client recently been diagnosed with HIV. Which of the following regarding the goals of treatment indicates understanding of the teaching provided? Note: Credit will be given only if all correct choices and no incorrect choices are selected.
Standard Text: Select all that apply.

Accepted Answer

The answer of The nurse is providing discharge teaching to...

Question 17

During the second stage of pathogenesis of HIV, what does the virus the convert its genetic material from?

Accepted Answer

During the second stage of pathogenesis of HIV, the virus uses an enzyme called reverse transcriptase to convert its RNA genetic material to DNA. This DNA is then integrated into the host cell's DNA, allowing the virus to replicate and continue to infect other cells.

Question 18

What is a common action of all six major classes of drugs used to manage HIV infection?

Accepted Answer

The six major classes of drugs used to manage HIV infection are nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs), non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs), protease inhibitors (PIs), fusion inhibitors, CCR5 antagonists, and integrase inhibitors. All of these drugs inhibit different enzymes that are necessary for viral replication. NRTIs, NNRTIs, and PIs target the reverse transcriptase and protease enzymes, while fusion inhibitors target the fusion process of the virus with host cells. CCR5 antagonists and integrase inhibitors target the CCR5 receptor and integrase enzyme, respectively, which are involved in early stages of viral replication. Therefore, inhibiting these enzymes is the common action of all six major classes of drugs used to manage HIV infection.

Question 19

What does the nurse explain to a group of nursing students working with HIV-AIDS clients is the goal of HAART therapy?

Accepted Answer

The goal of HAART therapy is to reduce the plasma level of HIV to the lowest level possible. While complete elimination of the virus is not currently possible, reducing it to undetectable levels can greatly improve a client's health and decrease the risk of transmission.

Question 20

MCMA A client is seen in the clinic for treatment of herpes genital warts and is ordered acyclovir. What does the nurse include in her teaching?
Note: Credit will be given only if all correct choices and no incorrect choices are selected.
Standard Text: Select all that apply.

Accepted Answer

The answer of MCMA A client is seen in the...

Quiz 10: Pharmacology of Infectious Diseases