The public health department is following a 34-year-old male who has reported several weeks of general malaise and a low-grade fever. The nurse assigned to his case communicates with the patient regarding the results of his laboratory testing.
-The patient reports that he had a negative HIV PCR test about a month ago.What is the most appropriate interpretation of this information by the nurse?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

A negative HIV PCR test may indicate that the patient is not infected with HIV, but it is also possible that the test was performed during the window period. HIV testing typically involves an initial screening test, such as an ELISA, followed by a confirmatory test, such as a Western blot. A negative ELISA may indicate that the patient is not infected, but it is possible that it was a false-negative. Therefore, the Western blot must be performed to confirm the results.

The Public Health Department Is Following a 34-Year-Old Male Who