Author Question: A client with HIV has been started on AZT as part of the pharmacotherapeutic regimen. What is ... (Read 29 times)

dakota nelson · **on:** Jul 23, 2018

A client with HIV has been started on AZT as part of the pharmacotherapeutic regimen. What is appropriate for the nurse to teach the client who is on this medication?

Standard Text: Select all that apply.
1. The appropriate use of condoms with sexual activity
2. The importance of taking St. John's wort in conjunction with AZT
3. The need to notify the health care provider if pregnancy occurs
4. That breast-feeding is safe when taking this medication
5. Not to discontinue the medication without notifying the health care provider

Question 2

Opportunistic infections have become less common, and mortality is diminished, because HAART:

1. decreases RNA replication.
2. increases the amount of red blood cells in the body.
3. increases the number of CD4 lymphocytes.
4. decreases the transmission of opportunistic infections from one person to another.

mariahkathleeen · **Reply #1 on:** Jul 23, 2018

Answer to Question 1

Correct Answer: 1,3,5
Rationale 1: The nurse should teach the client the importance of using condoms with sexual activity as this medication is not a cure for HIV infection and it does not prevent the spread of HIV to others through sexual contact.
Rationale 2: Herbal supplements such as St. John's wort may decrease the effectiveness of the antiretroviral medication. The medications should not be combined.
Rationale 3: Immediately notify the health care provider of any known or suspected pregnancy.
Rationale 4: Do not breast-feed while taking this drug without approval of the health care provider.
Rationale 5: Do not discontinue taking this medication without approval of the health care provider.
Global Rationale: The nurse should teach the client the importance of using condoms with sexual activity as this medication is not a cure for HIV infection and it does not prevent the spread of HIV to others through sexual contact. Herbal supplements such as St. John's wort may decrease the effectiveness of the antiretroviral medication. The medications should not be combined. This drug is pregnancy category C, so any known or suspected pregnancy should be reported. The patient should not breast-feed. The medication should not be discontinued without approval of the prescriber.

Answer to Question 2

Correct Answer: 3
Rationale 1: HAART does not decrease RNA replication.
Rationale 2: HAART does not increase the amount of red blood cells in the body.
Rationale 3: HAART increases the number of CD4 lymphocytes, allowing HIV-infected clients to maintain a higher level of immunologic response.
Rationale 4: HAART does not decrease the transmission of opportunistic infections from one person to another.
Global Rationale: The number of CD4 lymphocytes is an important indicator of immune function that indicates the actual degree of immune system damage caused by the virus. It is a good predictor of the likelihood of the patient acquiring an OI.