A nurse is providing instructions on HIV prevention strategies. Which of the following interventions should the nurse include for harm reduction in individuals who inject drugs?

Choice A:

Needle exchange programs and Choice C:

Infection prevention education.

Choice A rationale:

Needle exchange programs are essential in minimizing the negative consequences of drug use, especially for patients with HIV. These programs provide clean needles and syringes, reducing the risk of transmitting the virus through contaminated equipment.

Choice C rationale:

Infection prevention education is crucial for patients with HIV who engage in drug use. Educating them about safe practices and harm reduction strategies can help reduce the risk of spreading infections and improve overall health outcomes.

Choice B rationale:

Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) is not relevant to this situation. PEP is a preventive treatment given after potential exposure to HIV, not a strategy to minimize the consequences of ongoing drug use.

Choice D rationale:

Male circumcision has been shown to reduce the risk of HIV transmission in heterosexual men. However, it is not a strategy to minimize the negative consequences of drug use, and its relevance is not applicable to this question.

Prevention of opportunistic infections.

Choice B rationale:

Antiretroviral therapy (ART) is a standard treatment for patients with HIV. The primary goal of ART is to suppress viral replication, leading to increased CD4 cell count and improved immune function. As a result, patients on ART experience a reduced risk of developing opportunistic infections.

Choice A rationale:

An increase in viral replication is not an expected outcome of antiretroviral therapy. The goal of ART is to suppress viral replication and reduce the viral load in the patient's body.

Choice C rationale:

While antiretroviral therapy can lead to behavioral changes that may reduce risky behaviors, it is not the primary outcome or purpose of this treatment. The main focus is on viral suppression and immune restoration.

Choice D rationale:

Antiretroviral therapy does not directly promote human rights protection. However, access to appropriate medical care, including ART, is considered a human right for individuals with HIV/AIDS.