Question

Which of the following clients is at the greatest risk for developing an intracellular pathogen infection?

a) A hyperthyroid client who has received treatment with radioactive iodine
b) An AIDS client with a decreased CD4+ TH1 count
c) A teenager who attends a crowded high school
d) A breast cancer client who has a WBC count of 8000

Answer 1

b) An AIDS client with a decreased CD4+ TH1 count is at the greatest risk for developing an intracellular pathogen infection due to the crucial role of CD4+ T cells in the immune response and their significantly reduced levels in individuals with AIDS.

Step-by-step explanation:

Between the given scenarios, the client at the greatest risk for developing an intracellular pathogen infection is An AIDS client with a decreased CD4+ TH1 count. This is because CD4+ T cells are crucial for mounting an effective immune response, particularly against intracellular pathogens. A healthy person has about 1,000 CD4+ T cells per microliter, but in an individual with AIDS, this count can drop below 200 cells/μL, indicating severe immunodeficiency and a heightened risk of opportunistic infections. Various stages of HIV include a gradual decline in CD4+ T cell counts, with AIDS being the most advanced stage where individuals are highly susceptible to infections. Without sufficient CD4+ T cells, the body can't effectively signal B cells to produce antibodies, leaving the individual vulnerable to diseases typically rare in those with a healthy immune system.