ATI LPN
Timby's Introductory Medical-Surgical Nursing Thirteenth, North American Edition
Chapter 35 : Caring for Clients With HIV AIDS Questions
Question 1 of 5
A male client is having sexual relations with another male as well as using methamphetamine and has contracted HIV. What concern does the nurse have for this client?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: A new strain of HIV, identified as 3-DCR HIV, was detected in a gay man in New York. Scientists consider this new strain highly virulent because it converted the man's initial HIV infection to full-blown AIDS in a matter of months; the new strain is highly drug resistant. The infected man also used methamphetamine, which scientists believe can accelerate the replication of the virus, especially in the brain. Although the drug addiction and the transmission of HIV to other people is a concern, it does not relate to what the question is asking. A positive outcome would be the client maintaining HIV status longer and not converting to AIDS.
Question 2 of 5
A client is to have a hip replacement in 3 months and does not want a blood transfusion from random donors. What option can the nurse discuss with the client?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Banking autologous blood that is self-donated is the safest option for the client. Signing the refusal form does not give the client any information about the options that are available and places the client at risk. Directed donor blood may be no safer than blood collected from public donors. Those who support this belief say that directed donors may not reveal their high-risk behaviors that put the potential recipient at risk for blood-borne pathogens such as HIV.
Question 3 of 5
The nurse is gathering data from laboratory studies for a client who has HIV. The client's T4-cell count is 200/mm3, and the client has been diagnosed with Pneumocystis pneumonia. What does this indicate to the nurse?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: AIDS is the end stage of HIV infection. Certain events establish the conversion of HIV infection to AIDS: a markedly decreased T4 cell count from a normal level of 800 to 1200/mm3 and the development of certain cancers and opportunistic infections. The client does not have advanced HIV; they meet the criteria for the development of AIDS. The T4-cell count is not decreasing due to an infection.
Question 4 of 5
A client who had sexual contact with a partner who is HIV+ recently develops flulike symptoms such as a low grade fever, headache, and muscle pain. What does the nurse suspect this client is experiencing?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: At the time of primary HIV infection, one third to more than one half of those infected develop acute retroviral syndrome, also called acute HIV syndrome, which often is mistaken for flu or some other common illness. Some manifestations include fever; swollen and tender lymph nodes; pharyngitis; rash about the face, trunk, palms, and soles; muscle and joint pain; headache; nausea and vomiting; and diarrhea. In addition, there may be enlargement of the liver and spleen, weight loss, and neurologic symptoms such as visual changes or cognitive and motor involvement. It is too soon after exposure for the client to develop Pneumocystis pneumonia or AIDS.
Question 5 of 5
A client has been diagnosed with HIV and has been placed on antiretroviral therapy. What does the nurse inform the client will be required for determining the progression of the disease as well as guiding drug therapy?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Viral load testing is used to guide drug therapy and follow the progression of the disease. Viral load tests and T4-cell counts may be performed every 2 to 3 months once it is determined that a person is HIV positive. The medication should be adhered to and not discontinued. There is no cure for the disease at this time. Antiretroviral therapy is not generally changed or added to without reason or lack of response. The Western blot is used for confirmation of the presence of the HIV virus.