A patient is in the HIV clinic for a follow-up appointment. He has been on antiretroviral therapy for HIV for more than 3 years. The nurse will assess for which potential adverse effects of long-term antiretroviral therapy?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Anti-HIV drugs produce strain on the liver and may result in liver disease. A major adverse effect of protease inhibitors is lipid abnormalities, including lipodystrophy or redistribution of fat stores under the skin. In addition, dyslipidemias such as hypertriglyceridemia can occur, and insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes symptoms can result. The increase in long-term antiretroviral drug therapy due to prolonged disease survival has led to the emergence of another long-term adverse effect associated with these medications-bone demineralization and possible osteoporosis. Kaposi's sarcoma is an opportunistic disease associated with HIV, not a result of long-term drug therapy.

A Patient Is in the HIV Clinic for a Follow-Up