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Why would a client with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) be prescribed diphenoxylate hydrochloride?

1
To manage pain
Correct 2
To manage diarrhea
3
To manage candidal esophagitis
4
To manage behavioral problems
Diphenoxylate hydrochloride is an antidiarrheal drug prescribed to clients with AIDS to manage frequent diarrhea experienced by a client with AIDS. Opioid analgesics such as tramadol are used to manage pain. Ketoconazole can be used to treat candidal esophagitis associated with AIDS. Behavioral problems are managed with psychotropic drugs.

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Final answer:

Diphenoxylate hydrochloride is prescribed to manage diarrhea in AIDS patients due to its antidiarrheal properties and ability to act locally in the GI tract. Triazole drugs like fluconazole may be used for systemic yeast infections in AIDS due to their selective toxicity and oral or intravenous administration options.

Step-by-step explanation:

A client with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) may be prescribed diphenoxylate hydrochloride to manage diarrhea, a frequent complication of the disease. This medication is an opioid-related antidiarrheal agent that helps to reduce gastrointestinal motility, providing relief from this symptom. It is important to address diarrhea in AIDS patients as it can lead to dehydration and malabsorption of nutrients, exacerbating the client's condition. Although diphenoxylate hydrochloride is not absorbed easily from the gastrointestinal (GI) tract into the bloodstream, this characteristic makes it particularly effective for treating conditions like diarrhea where the therapeutic action is needed locally in the GI tract.

For other AIDS-related conditions such as systemic yeast infections, including oral thrush and cryptococcal meningitis, triazole drugs such as fluconazole that inhibit ergosterol biosynthesis may be prescribed. These drugs can be administered orally or intravenously and are known for more selective toxicity and fewer side effects compared to imidazoles, making them a preferable option in managing these infections.

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