A nurse is preparing a client for an electroencephalogram (EEG). When the client asks what the purpose of the procedure is, what is the nurse's best response?

A. "You probably have a gastrointestinal infection":
This statement is incorrect. A positive result on the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) indicates the presence of antibodies to HIV, which suggests exposure to the virus. It does not point to a gastrointestinal infection. HIV is a viral infection that primarily affects the immune system, not the gastrointestinal system. Misleading the client in this way would delay proper care and understanding of their health status.

B. "You are confirmed to be infected with the HIV virus.":
A positive ELISA test result does not automatically confirm an HIV diagnosis. ELISA is a screening test that detects HIV antibodies, but it can sometimes produce false-positive results. A positive ELISA result must be confirmed with a more specific confirmatory test, such as the Western blot test. Therefore, it would be premature to tell the client that they are "confirmed" to be infected with HIV without further confirmatory testing.

C. "This is a good result, which means you do not have HIV.":
This statement is also incorrect. A positive ELISA test result does not mean that the client does not have HIV. In fact, it indicates potential exposure to the virus. However, because the result is a screening test, it must be followed up with confirmatory testing. Telling the client that this is a "good result" would be misleading and could cause confusion or delay in appropriate care.

D. "Your result will need to be confirmed with a Western blot test.":
This is the correct response. The Western blot test is the confirmatory test used to verify a positive result from the ELISA. If the ELISA result is positive, the client should be informed that further testing, such as the Western blot, is needed to confirm the diagnosis of HIV infection. It is important to explain that the ELISA is a screening tool, and a positive result does not mean a definitive diagnosis without confirmation. This helps to set realistic expectations and ensures the client receives the appropriate follow-up care.

A) "Complete blood count (CBC)":
. A CBC can provide important information about the patient's overall health, including potential signs of infection, anemia, or other underlying conditions. However, in the context of acute neurological symptoms such as left-sided weakness, CT scan is the priority test because it will help quickly determine if there is an acute neurological event, such as a stroke or hemorrhage. While a CBC might be useful later to assess for underlying
conditions or potential causes, it is not the first test to perform in this scenario.

B) "Electroencephalogram (EEG)":
. An EEG is primarily used to diagnose and assess seizure activity or epileptic disorders. While seizures can cause neurological deficits, the patient's sudden onset of left-sided weakness is more suggestive of a stroke, not a seizure. The priority is to rule out stroke with a CT scan, not to assess for seizures with an EEG.

C) "Computed tomography (CT) scan":
. A CT scan is the first diagnostic test to perform in patients with acute neurological deficits such as sudden-onset weakness, especially when a stroke is suspected. A CT scan can quickly detect if the cause is an ischemic stroke (lack of blood flow due to a clot) or a hemorrhagic stroke (bleeding in the brain). Time is critical in the management of stroke, as early intervention with treatments like tPA (tissue plasminogen activator) for ischemic stroke can greatly improve outcomes. The CT scan can help determine if the patient is a candidate for thrombolysis or if other interventions are needed.

D) "Chest radiograph (chest x-ray)":
. While a chest x-ray can be useful for diagnosing respiratory issues, such as pneumonia or congestion, it is not helpful in evaluating the cause of acute neurological symptoms like left-sided weakness. The priority test is a CT scan to evaluate the brain and rule out conditions like stroke or hemorrhage, not a chest x-ray.