Question

The health care provider prescribes laboratory studies for an infant of a woman positive for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) to determine the presence of HIV antigen in the infant. The nurse anticipates that which laboratory study will be prescribed for the infant?

a) CD4 count
b) Viral load
c) Western blot test
d) Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test

Answer 1

The laboratory study that will be prescribed for the infant is the Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test, which can detect the presence of HIV before the body begins producing antibodies.

Step-by-step explanation:

The laboratory study that will be prescribed for the infant of a woman positive for HIV to determine the presence of HIV antigen is d) Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test.

The PCR test is used to detect the presence of HIV in the blood by amplifying and analyzing the viral genetic material. It can detect HIV even before the body begins producing antibodies, making it useful in early diagnosis.

Other laboratory studies mentioned, such as the CD4 count, viral load, and Western blot test, are used to monitor the progression and management of HIV infection but are not specifically used to determine the presence of HIV antigen in an infant.