A patient with HIV-1 has experienced a sudden decline in health status accompanied by a significant increase in viral load. What is the first action the nurse should take?
Assess the patient’s adherence to the drug regimen.
Inquire about the patient’s recent travel to foreign countries.
Determine if the patient has any new sexual partners.
Request information about changes in the patient’s living conditions or pets.
The Correct Answer is A
Choice A rationale:
Assessing the patient's adherence to the drug regimen is the most crucial first step in this situation. Here's a comprehensive explanation:
1. Significance of Adherence in HIV Treatment:
Viral Suppression and Disease Progression: Adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART) is paramount in HIV management. It directly impacts viral suppression, preventing disease progression, and reducing the risk of opportunistic infections and complications. Non-adherence can lead to viral rebound, increased viral load, and potential disease advancement.
Primary Cause of Treatment Failure: Suboptimal adherence is the leading cause of treatment failure in HIV patients. It can result in:
Reduced effectiveness of ART Development of drug resistance Increased healthcare costs Increased risk of transmission
2. Rationale for Prioritizing Adherence Assessment:
Direct Link to Viral Load and Health Status: A sudden decline in health status and a significant increase in viral load strongly suggest potential non-adherence. Assessing adherence early on can:
Identify the root cause of the clinical deterioration
Inform timely interventions to address adherence barriers Prevent further complications
3. Assessing Adherence Thoroughly:
Non-Judgmental Approach: Creating a supportive and non-judgmental environment is essential for honest and accurate assessment.
Open-Ended Questions: Utilize open-ended questions to explore potential challenges and barriers to adherence, such as: Difficulties with medication schedules
Side effects Financial constraints Forgetfulness
Mental health concerns Substance abuse
Lack of social support
Objective Measures: Complement patient reports with objective measures like:
Pill counts
Pharmacy refill records
Medication Event Monitoring Systems (MEMS)
4. Addressing Adherence Barriers:
Tailored Interventions: Based on the assessment findings, develop individualized strategies to enhance adherence, such as: Simplifying medication regimens
Addressing side effects
Providing medication reminders
Offering counseling and support services
Connecting patients with resources
5. Reassessing and Monitoring:
Continuous Evaluation: Regularly reassess adherence and viral load to ensure treatment effectiveness and make adjustments as needed.
Conclusion:
While other options (B, C, D) may provide valuable information, prioritizing adherence assessment is critical to promptly identify and address potential adherence issues, optimize treatment outcomes, and prevent further health decline in HIV patients experiencing viral rebound.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A rationale:
Planning activities to prevent fatigue is a valid self-care strategy for SLE patients. Fatigue is a common symptom of SLE, and it can be exacerbated by overexertion. By planning activities and pacing themselves, patients can help to manage their fatigue and conserve energy.
Fatigue management strategies include:
Prioritizing tasks and delegating when possible.
Breaking down large tasks into smaller, more manageable ones. Taking frequent rest breaks throughout the day.
Maintaining a regular sleep schedule. Engaging in moderate exercise, as tolerated.
Avoiding caffeine and alcohol, which can interfere with sleep.
Addressing any underlying health conditions that may be contributing to fatigue, such as anemia or depression.
Choice B rationale:
Prioritizing rest is another essential self-care strategy for SLE patients. Rest allows the body to conserve energy and repair itself. Patients with SLE may need more rest than healthy individuals, especially during flares.
Resting strategies include:
Getting enough sleep at night. Napping during the day, as needed.
Taking breaks from activities throughout the day.
Practicing relaxation techniques, such as deep breathing or meditation.
Choice C rationale:
Sunbathing is not recommended for SLE patients, as it can trigger flares. Ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun can damage skin cells and exacerbate inflammation in SLE patients. This can lead to a flare-up of symptoms, such as skin rash, joint pain, and fatigue.
Sun protection strategies include:
Avoiding direct sunlight, especially during the middle of the day when UV rays are strongest. Wearing protective clothing, such as long-sleeved shirts, pants, and wide-brimmed hats.
Using sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher on a daily basis.
Applying sunscreen liberally and reapplying it every two hours, or more often if sweating or swimming.
Choice D rationale:
Avoiding direct sunlight is a correct self-care strategy for SLE patients.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice B rationale:
Benign tumors typically grow in the wrong place or at the wrong time. This is a key distinguishing feature of benign tumors compared to normal cells. Normal cells have precise mechanisms that control their growth, ensuring they divide and multiply only when and where they are needed. Benign tumors, however, have disruptions in these regulatory mechanisms, leading to abnormal growth patterns. This means they may grow in locations where they don't belong or continue to grow even when they are no longer needed.
Here's a detailed explanation of why the other choices are incorrect:
Choice A:
Benign tumors have not lost their cellular regulation from contact inhibition. Contact inhibition is a process that stops normal cells from growing when they come into contact with other cells. Benign tumors still maintain this ability, which helps to limit their growth and prevent them from spreading to other tissues.
Choice C:
Benign tumors do not grow through invasion of other tissue. Invasion is a hallmark feature of malignant tumors (cancers). Benign tumors, on the other hand, typically grow as encapsulated masses, meaning they are surrounded by a well-defined border that separates them from surrounding tissues. They do not infiltrate or invade surrounding structures.
Choice D:
Anaplasia refers to the loss of differentiation and resemblance to the parent cells, which is a characteristic of malignant tumors, not benign tumors. Benign tumors still maintain a degree of differentiation, meaning they retain some of the characteristics of the normal cells from which they originated.
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