Final answer:
Zidovudine is an antiretroviral drug used to treat HIV with common side effects including nausea, headache, anemia, muscle pain, and fatigue. It is a key component of HAART, which slows the progression of HIV infection.
Step-by-step explanation:
When treating an HIV positive client with Zidovudine, it's important to be aware of the common side effects of this medication. Zidovudine is a nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor that incorporates into viral DNA and prevents the formation of a proper sugar-phosphate backbone, thus inhibiting replication of the virus. However, the use of Zidovudine may lead to side effects such as nausea, headache, anemia, muscle pain, and fatigue. Moreover, its administration is crucial as part of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), which aids in reducing the viral load and preventing the progression of HIV to AIDS. It is essential for health professionals to monitor for these side effects to ensure the best possible outcomes for their clients.