Exam (elaborations) Chapter 14: Infection and Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection Lewis: Medical-Surgical Nursing, 10th Edition

1. The nurse is advising a clinic patient who was exposed a week ago to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) through unprotected sexual intercourse. The patient’s antigen and antibody test has just been reported as negative for HIV. What instructions should the nurse give to this patient? a. “You will need to be retested in 2 weeks.” b. “You do not need to fear infecting others.” c. “Since you don’t have symptoms and you have had a negative test, you do not have HIV).” d. “We won’t know for years if you will develop acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS).” ANS: A HIV screening tests detect HIV-specific antibodies or antigens, but typically it takes a several week delay after initial infection before HIV can be detected on a screening test. Combination antibody and antigen tests (also known as fourth-generation tests) decrease the window period to within 3 weeks after infection. It is not known based on this information whether the patient is infected with HIV or can infect others. DIF: Cognitive Level: Apply (application) REF: 221 TOP: Nursing Process: Implementation MSC: NCLEX: Physiological Integrity 2. A patient who has a positive test for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) antibodies is admitted to the hospital with Pneumocystis jiroveci pneumonia (PCP) and a CD4+ T-cell count of less than 200 cells/L. Based on diagnostic criteria established by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which statement by the nurse is correct? a. “The patient will develop symptomatic HIV infection within 1 year.” b. “The patient meets the criteria for a diagnosis of acute HIV infection.” c. “The patient will be diagnosed with asymptomatic chronic HIV infection.” d. “The patient has developed acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS).” ANS: D Development of PCP meets the diagnostic criteria for AIDS. The other responses indicate earlier stages of HIV infection than is indicated by the PCP infection. DIF: Cognitive Level: Understand (comprehension) REF: 221 TOP: Nursing Process: Assessment MSC: NCLEX: Physiological Integrity 3. A patient informed of a positive rapid antibody test result for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is anxious and does not appear to hear what the nurse is saying. What action by the nurse is most important at this time? a. Teach the patient how to reduce risky behaviors. b. Inform the patient about the available treatments. c. Remind the patient about the need to return for retesting to verify the results. d. Ask the patient to identify individuals who had intimate contact with the patient. ANS: C After an initial positive antibody test result, the next step is retesting to confirm the results. A patient who is anxious is not likely to be able to take in new information or be willing to disclose information about the HIV status of other individuals. DIF: Cognitive Level: Analyze (analysis) REF: 222 TOP: Nursing Process: Implementation MSC: NCLEX: Psychosocial Integrity 4. A patient who is diagnosed with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) tells the nurse, “I feel obsessed with morbid thoughts about dying.” Which response by the nurse is appropriate? a. “Thinking about dying will not improve the course of AIDS.” b. “Do you think that taking an antidepressant might be helpful?” c. “Can you tell me more about the thoughts that you are having?” d. “It is important to focus on the good things about your life now.” ANS: C More assessment of the patient’s psychosocial status is needed before taking any other action. The statements, “Thinking about dying will not improve the course of AIDS” and “It is important to focus on the good things in life” or suggesting an antidepressant discourage the patient from sharing any further information with the nurse and decrease the nurse’s ability to develop a trusting relationship with the patient. DIF: Cognitive Level: Apply (application) REF: 227 TOP: Nursing Process: Implementation MSC: NCLEX: Psychosocial Integrity 5. A pregnant woman with asymptomatic chronic human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection is seen at the clinic. The patient states, “I am very nervous about making my baby sick.” Which information will the nurse include when teaching the patient? a. The antiretroviral medications used to treat HIV infection are teratogenic. b. Most infants born to HIV-positive mothers are not infected with the virus. c. Because it is an early stage of HIV infection, the infant will not contract HIV. d. Her newborn will be born with HIV unless she uses antiretroviral therapy (ART). ANS: B Only 25% of infants born to HIV-positive mothers develop HIV infection, even when the mother does not use ART during pregnancy. The percentage drops to 2% when ART is used. Perinatal transmission can occur at any stage of HIV infection (although it is less likely to occur when the viral load is lower). ART can safely be used in pregnancy, although some ART drugs should be avoided. DIF: Cognitive Level: Understand (comprehension) REF: 219 TOP: Nursing Process: Implementation MSC: NCLEX: Health