Question

Week 1 Discussion: Care of a Patient with HIV

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Forum Instructions

Each student must post (1) substantial initial post with a minimum of 250 words by Thursday of each week before 11:59 PM. All posts and replies must contain at least (2) professional references, one may be the course textbook, properly cited in the current APA format. Late discussion posts are not accepted in this course.

The student must also reply to at least (2) classmates on (2) different days after the initial post date during the week using a minimum of 75 words per reply by Sunday before 11:59 PM. All replies in the discussion forum should enhance the discussion. Non-informative messages posted in the discussion forum will not be counted towards the required number of replies for that topic.

Discussion Topic

Care of a patient with HIV

Kathy Michaels, a 37-year-old female, is talking with her gynecologist about concerns of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). She asks to be tested for STDs. Later, the nurse calls to discuss the results with Ms. Michaels, which indicates she is positive for HIV. Ms. Michaels states, "Oh no, I have AIDS!"

1. How should the nurse respond to Ms. Michaels' statement?

"Ms. Michaels seems relieved with the explanation and states "I am so glad it's not AIDS. It's just like an infection." She then asks the nurse, "Can I take some antibiotics to kill the infection, then?

2. How should the nurse respond to Ms. Michaels' question?

Again, Ms. Michaels indicates an understanding of the nurse's explanation. She then asks "Does this virus just remain the same in my body and nothing will happen, or will I be getting sick?"

3. How should the nurse respond to Ms. Michaels' question?

Answer 1

The nurse should correct the misunderstanding that HIV equals AIDS, inform Ms. Michaels that antibiotics do not treat HIV, and ART is the standard of care. The nurse should stress the importance of treatment to prevent the virus from progressing and illustrate how it can help manage HIV as a chronic condition.

Step-by-step explanation:

Response to Ms. Michaels' Concerns:

Upon receiving a positive HIV test result and mistakenly associating it with AIDS, the nurse should clarify to Ms. Michaels that while HIV is the virus that can lead to AIDS, being HIV-positive does not mean she currently has AIDS. AIDS, or Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome, is the most advanced stage of HIV, which occurs when the immune system is severely damaged. Proper medical treatment, especially if started early, can greatly delay or prevent the progression from HIV to AIDS. Regarding Ms. Michaels' question about taking antibiotics, the nurse should inform her that antibiotics are not effective against viruses like HIV.

The nurse can explain that antiretroviral therapy (ART) is the standard treatment for HIV and can help manage the virus significantly prolong the life and reduce the likelihood of transmission. Finally, when asked if the virus remains the same or if she will get sick the nurse can discuss the stages of HIV, emphasizing the importance of treatment to manage the virus. Without treatment HIV can lead to a gradual decline in immune function potentially developing into AIDS and increasing the risk of opportunistic infections. Thus, early and consistent treatment with ART can turn HIV from a fatal disease into a chronic condition allowing those infected to lead a near-normal life expectancy.