Two months after a patient is diagnosed with AIDS, a repeat CD4/CD8 enumeration (T-cell profile)shows an increase from 0.8 to 1.1.The patient asks the nurse whether this means that the infection is gone.Which response by the nurse is most accurate?
A)"A lower CD4/C8 ratio should indicate that your body is fighting the infection, so you will not need further treatment."
B)"If your T-cell profile keeps improving, then you can consider yourself cured."
C)"The T-cell profile can improve initially without treatment, but you still have the virus, and over time your T-cell profile will decrease."
D)"This ratio is not very meaningful since it varies with your overall white blood cell count."

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

An increase in the CD4/CD8 ratio may initially indicate that the body is fighting the infection, but it does not mean that the infection is gone. AIDS is a chronic viral infection, and over time the T-cell profile will decrease. The patient still needs further treatment and monitoring. Option A is incorrect because a lower ratio does not mean that the infection is gone, and further treatment is still needed. Option B is incorrect because there is no cure for AIDS. Option D is incorrect because the CD4/CD8 ratio is a significant marker of immune function in HIV-infected individuals, even if it can be influenced by other factors such as white blood cell counts.

Two Months After a Patient Is Diagnosed with AIDS, a Repeat