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?

Question

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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.

A Client with AIDS Is Brought to the Clinic by Their