Question

A patient with HIV infection is seen in the clinic. The nurse notes the patient is experiencing weight loss, chronic diarrhea, fever, and dropping CD4 counts. The nurse anticipates the patient is in which stage of HIV infection?

A.Stage 1
B.Stage 2
C.Stage 3
d. Stage 4

Answer 1

The patient exhibiting symptoms and a dropping CD4 count is in Stage 3 of HIV infection (AIDS), where the immune system is severely compromised, making it potentially fatal without treatment.

Step-by-step explanation:

The patient with HIV infection experiencing weight loss, chronic diarrhea, fever, and a dropping CD4 count is likely in Stage 3 of HIV infection, which is also known as AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome). This stage is characterized by a CD4 T-cell count dropping below 200 cells/µL or the development of certain opportunistic illnesses. Patients in this stage show symptoms such as fever, and weight loss, and may also have rare cancers like Kaposi's sarcoma and opportunistic infections like tuberculosis, among others. This severe immune system damage makes the condition potentially fatal without proper treatment. The progressive destruction of helper T cells by the virus in the absence of treatment can lead to life-threatening conditions and symptoms representative of AIDS.