Question 1

A client diagnosed with HIV asks the nurse how the doctor can know what their viral load is. What should the nurse respond?

Accepted Answer

The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test is used to measure the amount of HIV RNA in a person's blood, which determines their viral load. This test is more accurate than the ELISA test, which is used to detect antibodies to HIV. Sedimentary rate and basic metabolic panel tests are not specific to HIV diagnosis or monitoring.

Question 2

A male client comes to the walk-in clinic stating he has just found out he has been exposed to HIV. The client tests HIV-negative after an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay test. The client wants to know the precise sources through which the HIV infection is transmitted, as he wants to take proper precautions. Which of the following body fluids transmits the HIV infection?

Accepted Answer

HIV can be transmitted through semen, vaginal fluids, blood, and breast milk. Sweat, saliva, and urine do not typically transmit the infection. It is important for the client to understand that the best way to prevent transmission is to practice safe sex, use clean injection equipment, and avoid sharing personal hygiene items such as razors or toothbrushes.

Question 3

A public health nurse is giving an informational presentation on HIV/AIDS at a nearby college. How would the nurse best explain AIDS?

Accepted Answer

Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome is a fatal infection that profoundly weakens the immune system. This definition highlights the severity and consequences of the disease, emphasizing the crucial importance of prevention and treatment efforts.

Question 4

A client suspected of having HIV has blood drawn for a screening test. What is the first test generally run to see if a client is, indeed, HIVpositive?

Accepted Answer

ELISA (Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay) is the first screening test run to detect HIV antibodies in a person's blood. It is a sensitive and reliable test that can detect HIV infection within 2-4 weeks of exposure. If the ELISA test comes back positive, a confirmatory test such as Western Blot is then done to confirm the diagnosis.

Question 5

A woman infected with HIV comes into the clinic. What symptoms may be the focus of a medical complaint in women infected with HIV?

Accepted Answer

Women infected with HIV may experience gynecologic problems such as vaginal yeast infections, pelvic inflammatory disease, and abnormal Pap smears. While rashes (A) and weight loss (D) can be seen in HIV infection, they are not necessarily specific to women. Muscle and joint pain (B) may occur in anyone with HIV, but are not a common focus of medical complaint specifically for women.

Question 6

A client who is HIV/AIDS positive has developed neuropathy, which may be an adverse effect of the antiretroviral drug therapy. What advice should the nurse give?

Accepted Answer

Neuropathy can be a common adverse effect of antiretroviral drug therapy for HIV/AIDS, and increasing the intake of vitamin B12 and thiamine supplements may help alleviate symptoms. Discontinuing the drugs immediately or reducing the dosage without consulting a physician can be dangerous and may lead to drug resistance or viral rebound. Taking the drugs with meals may help reduce gastrointestinal side effects but does not address neuropathy.

Question 7

A 17-year-old client with a diagnosis of HIV presents at the public health clinic complaining of pharyngitis, rash on the palms and soles of his feet, and diarrhea. What would the nurse suspect the client is suffering from?

Accepted Answer

The symptoms described are indicative of acute retroviral syndrome (ARS), which occurs within 2-4 weeks after contracting HIV. symptoms include sore throat, rash on the palms and soles of the feet, diarrhea, fatigue, fever, and swollen glands. ADC (AIDS dementia complex) and DSP (diffuse infiltrative lymphocytosis syndrome) are both HIV-associated neurological conditions that are not represented by the symptoms described. ARC (AIDS-related complex) is an outdated term that is no longer used in the classification of HIV disease.

Question 8

A client visits the nurse complaining of diarrhea every time they eat. The client has AIDS and wants to know what they can do to stop having diarrhea. What should the nurse advise?

Accepted Answer

Diarrhea is a common symptom for people with AIDS because their immune system is weakened. The nurse should advise the client to avoid foods high in residue, lactose, fat, and caffeine as these can irritate the digestive system and make diarrhea worse. Encouraging large, high-fat meals can also worsen diarrhea. Reducing food intake is not recommended as the client needs proper nutrition to support their immune system. Increasing the intake of iron and zinc may be beneficial for overall health but will not specifically address the issue of diarrhea.

Question 9

A client, who has an established HIV diagnosis, is thought to have converted to AIDS. What are the criteria for confirming a diagnosis ofAIDS? Select all that apply.

Accepted Answer

The criteria for confirming a diagnosis of AIDS are a markedly decreased T4 cell count, development of opportunistic infections, and falling into a CDC established category for AIDS diagnosis. Responding to antiretroviral drugs or development of Kopi's sarcoma are not criteria for confirming a diagnosis of AIDS.

Question 10

A client who is HIV positive has been prescribed antiretroviral drugs. The nurse explains the action of each antiretroviral drug and develops a schedule for the client's self-administration, including strong emphasis about rigidly adhering to the dosage, time and frequency of the administration of the drugs. Why is it important to adhere to the schedule of drug dosing developed for this client?

Accepted Answer

Strict adherence to the antiretroviral regimen is crucial to prevent the development of drug-resistant strains of the virus, which can occur if the virus is not consistently suppressed by the medication.

Question 11

The nursing instructor is talking about HIV/AIDS with their pre-nursing pathophysiology class. The instructor explains to the class that the virus that causes HIV/AIDS is called a retrovirus. What characteristics of this retrovirus would the instructor talk with the class about?

Accepted Answer

Retroviruses, like HIV, have subtypes such as HIV-1 and HIV-2, which are important in understanding the virus's characteristics and epidemiology.

Question 12

A healthcare worker has been exposed to the blood of an HIV-positive client and is awaiting the results of an HIV test. In the meantime, what precautions must the healthcare worker take to prevent the spread of infection?

Accepted Answer

Following the same sexual precautions as someone who has been diagnosed with AIDS is crucial for a healthcare worker who has been exposed to HIV. This includes using condoms, limiting the number of sexual partners, and avoiding behaviors that increase the risk of transmission. This measure is part of standard precautions to prevent the spread of infections, especially when the status of the healthcare worker is not yet confirmed. Options A, B, and D are not recommended practices in this scenario. Limiting interactions based on HIV status or quitting their job is not necessary and does not align with public health guidelines or workplace policies on bloodborne pathogens.

Question 13

A client with AIDS is brought to the clinic by their family. The family tells the nurse the client has become forgetful, with a limited attention span, decreased ability to concentrate, and delusional thinking. What condition is represented by these symptoms?

Accepted Answer

The symptoms described suggest the development of AIDS dementia complex (ADC), which is a neurological disorder that affects some people with AIDS. Adverse effects of HIV on the brain can lead to dementia, delirium, cognitive and motor dysfunction, behavioral changes, and psychiatric symptoms. Distal sensory polyneuropathy (DSP) is characterized by sensory loss, tingling, burning, and other abnormal sensations in the extremities. Candidiasis is a fungal infection that commonly affects the mouth, esophagus, and genital area in people with weakened immune systems. Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is a viral infection that can cause a variety of symptoms, such as fever, fatigue, vision loss, and neurological complications, in individuals with HIV/AIDS. However, none of these conditions directly explain the cognitive changes reported by the family.

Question 14

You are caring for a client who has a diagnosis of HIV. Part of this client's teaching plan is educating the client about his or her medications. What is essential for the nurse to include in the teaching of this client regarding medications?

Accepted Answer

Side effects of drug therapy are crucial for patients to understand so they can recognize adverse reactions and understand the importance of continuing their medication despite these side effects.

Question 15

A client who is HIV/AIDS positive has orders for laboratory tests to be performed. What precautions should the nurse observe whenever there is a risk of exposure to the blood and body fluids of an infected client?

Accepted Answer

Whenever handling laboratory specimens from an HIV/AIDS positive client, the nurse should transport them in leakproof containers to minimize contamination and reduce the risk of exposure to blood and body fluids. Options A and B are extreme measures and unnecessary for routine interactions with HIV/AIDS positive patients, as long as standard precautions are taken. Option C may also be unnecessary for routine interactions; however, it is always recommended to wear appropriate personal protective equipment when performing tasks that may expose the nurse to blood and body fluids.

Question 16

A 16-year-old client suspected of having HIV/AIDS asks the nurse what causes AIDS. What should the nurse say?

Accepted Answer

AIDS is caused by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). HIV attacks and weakens the immune system, leaving the body vulnerable to a variety of infections and cancers.

Question 17

People have different levels of risk for becoming infected with HIV. Which client is more at risk of becoming infected with HIV?

Accepted Answer

Having casual intercourse with multiple partners increases the risk of being exposed to HIV.

Question 18

An immigrant and his wife are both HIV positive. The physician prescribes antiretroviral medications. However, the client tells the nurse he is concerned about his ability to afford the treatment. What advice can the nurse provide to the client to help begin the treatment?

Accepted Answer

The best advice the nurse can provide to the client is to approach social agencies and pharmaceutical companies that provide antiretroviral drugs on compassionate grounds. This will help the client to afford the treatment and get the necessary care without facing financial difficulties. Option A is not recommended as it can compromise the effectiveness of the treatment prescribed. Option B is not appropriate as nurses have a responsibility to provide holistic care to their patients. Option C may lead to delays in treatment, which can worsen the condition of the client.

Question 19

You are caring for a client diagnosed with HIV. The client wants to know when they will be started on medication for their disease. What would be the nurse's best response?

Accepted Answer

According to current HIV treatment guidelines, antiretroviral therapy should be initiated in individuals diagnosed with HIV regardless of their CD4 T-cell count. However, if the CD4 T-cell count is less than 350 cells/mm3, therapy should be started as soon as possible.

Question 20

A client who is HIV positive is taking zidovudine. Which adverse effects should the nurse closely monitor for in this client?

Accepted Answer

Zidovudine can cause bone marrow suppression, which may result in anemia and granulocytopenia. Numbness in the extremities is not a known adverse effect of zidovudine. Alterations in renal function and pancreatitis are not common adverse effects of zidovudine.

Quiz 35: Caring for Clients With Hivaids