Question

A nurse is caring for a client who is human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) positive. Which complication associated with this diagnosis is most important for the nurse to teach prevention strategies?

Correct 1
Infection
2
Depression
3
Social isolation
4
Kaposi sarcoma
The client has a weakened immune response. Instructions regarding rest, nutrition, and avoidance of unnecessary exposure to people with infections help reduce the risk for infection. Clients can be taught cognitive strategies to cope with depression, but the strategies will not prevent depression. The client may experience social isolation as a result of society's fears and misconceptions; these are beyond the client's control. Although Kaposi sarcoma is related to HIV infection, there are no specific measures to prevent its occurrence.

Answer 1

Infection is the most important complication for which a nurse should teach prevention strategies to an HIV positive client, due to their weakened immune system and high susceptibility to opportunistic infections.

Step-by-step explanation:

The most important complication associated with an HIV positive diagnosis for a nurse to teach prevention strategies for is infection. Individuals with HIV have a weakened immune response, and are thus highly susceptible to opportunistic infections, such as Pneumocystis pneumonia, tuberculosis, cryptosporidiosis, and toxoplasmosis, which are severe and potentially life-threatening for those with compromised immune systems.

Prevention strategies include a focus on rest, nutrition, and avoidance of unnecessary exposure to infections, which are essential to reducing the risk for these serious complications. While depression and social isolation are also concerns for HIV positive clients, and Kaposi sarcoma can develop due to the virus, there are no specific preventive measures for these as effective as the ones that exist for preventing infections.

People who are HIV positive can be taught cognitive strategies to cope with depression, but these strategies will not necessarily prevent depression. Social isolation may occur as a result of societal misconceptions about HIV/AIDS, which are largely beyond the control of the infected individual. Kaposi sarcoma, a cancer associated with HIV infection, has no known measures for prevention specific to its development. Therefore, focusing on preventing infections is most crucial.