A patient with HIV is admitted to the hospital with a diagnosis of dehydration. The patient complains of chronic diarrhea. The nurse notes a 15-pound weight loss over a 4-week period. The most likely explanation for the patient's condition is _____.

Question

A patient with HIV is admitted to the hospital with a diagnosis of dehydration. The patient complains of chronic diarrhea. The nurse notes a 15-pound weight loss over a 4-week period. The most likely explanation for the patient's condition is _____.​

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Chronic diarrhea and weight loss in a patient with HIV is most commonly associated with AIDS enteropathy, which is a syndrome of malabsorption due to damage to the gastrointestinal tract from HIV infection. Candidiasis and herpes simplex virus can also cause diarrhea but are less likely to be associated with weight loss. Insulin resistance is not typically associated with chronic diarrhea and weight loss in the context of HIV.

A Patient with HIV Is Admitted to the Hospital with a Diagnosis