The nurse is providing care to a patient who is diagnosed with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).The patient has lost 15% of body weight since the last appointment.Which reason should the nurse include in a teaching session for this patient regarding this occurrence?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Significant weight loss is a common symptom of HIV disease progression. As the immune system is compromised, the body becomes less able to fight off infections and disease, leading to a loss of appetite and weight loss. While infections such as mycobacterial infection and pneumocystis carinii pneumonia may contribute to weight loss, the primary reason for the patient's weight loss in this case is likely due to the progression of HIV disease.

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