Question

A nurse is contributing to the plan of care for an adolescent client who has human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Based on the adolescent's diagnosis, which of the following actions should be included in the plan of care?

a) Provide the adolescent with education about HIV transmission and prevention.

b) Monitor the adolescent's viral load and CD4 count.

c) Administer antiretroviral therapy (ART) to the adolescent.

d) All of the above.

Answer 1

The plan of care for an adolescent with HIV should include education on HIV transmission and prevention, monitoring of viral load and CD4 count, and administering antiretroviral therapy (ART). All of these actions are crucial in effectively managing HIV infection and preventing its progression.

Step-by-step explanation:

When managing care for an adolescent client with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), several key actions should be included in the plan of care. These are:

• Education about HIV transmission and prevention: It's crucial to provide the adolescent with comprehensive information on how HIV is transmitted and the behaviors that increase risk, such as unprotected sex and sharing needles. Effective education can empower them to make safe choices and reduce the risk of transmitting the virus.
• Monitoring viral load and CD4 count: Regularly tracking the viral load indicates how well the antiretroviral therapy is working, while the CD4 count reflects the health of the immune system. These measurements help healthcare providers to adjust treatments as necessary.
• Administering antiretroviral therapy (ART): ART is essential for managing HIV infection. These medications suppress viral replication and reduce the HIV viral load in the body, helping to maintain immune system function and prevent progression to acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS).

Therefore, the comprehensive plan of care for the adolescent client should include all of the above actions.