A client is hospitalized with Pneumocystis jiroveci pneumonia. ...

[krzymel]

A client is hospitalized with Pneumocystis jiroveci pneumonia. The client reports shortness of breath with activity and extreme fatigue. What intervention is best to promote comfort?
 
  a. Administer sleeping medication.
  b. Perform most activities for the client.
  c. Increase the client's oxygen during activity.
  d. Pace activities, allowing for adequate rest.

Question 2

A nurse is talking with a client about a negative enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) test for human immune deficiency virus (HIV) antibodies. The test is negative and the client states Whew I was really worried about that result.
 
  What action by the nurse is most important?
  a.
  Assess the client's sexual activity and patterns.
  b.
  Express happiness over the test result.
  c.
  Remind the client about safer sex practices.
  d.
  Tell the client to be retested in 3 months.

[rnehls]

Answer to Question 1

ANS: D
This client has two major reasons for fatigue: decreased oxygenation and systemic illness. The nurse should not do everything for the client but rather let the client do as much as possible within limits and allow for adequate rest in between. Sleeping medications may be needed but not as the first step, and only with caution. Increasing oxygen during activities may or may not be warranted, but first the nurse must try pacing the client's activity.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: A
The ELISA test can be falsely negative if testing occurs after the client has become infected but prior to making antibodies to HIV. This period of time is known as the window period and can last up to 36 months. The nurse needs to assess the client's sexual behavior further to determine the proper response. The other actions are not the most important, but discussing safer sex practices is always appropriate.