A client with peptic ulcer disease receives a new prescription for cimetidine. Which statement provided by the client requires additional instruction by the nurse?

Choice A Reason:

Accommodation refers to the eye’s ability to change the shape of the lens to focus on objects at different distances. Mydriatic eye drops primarily affect the muscles that control the pupil size, not the lens. While accommodation might be slightly affected due to the dilation, it is not the primary function impacted by mydriatics.

Choice B Reason:

Refraction is the bending of light as it passes through the lens of the eye to focus on the retina. Mydriatic eye drops do not directly affect the refractive properties of the eye. The primary purpose of these drops is to dilate the pupil, which does not significantly alter the eye’s refractive ability.

Choice C Reason:

Eye convergence is the simultaneous inward movement of both eyes toward each other to maintain single binocular vision when viewing an object. Mydriatic eye drops do not directly interfere with the muscles responsible for eye convergence. Therefore, this function remains largely unaffected during the therapeutic period.

Choice D Reason:

Pupillary constriction is the narrowing of the pupil, which is controlled by the sphincter pupillae muscle. Mydriatic eye drops cause the pupil to dilate by relaxing this muscle, thereby preventing pupillary constriction. This is the primary function that will not respond during the therapeutic period after administration of mydriatic eye drops.

Choice A Reason:

Antiretroviral medications are effective in decreasing AIDS-related complications. These medications work by reducing the viral load in the body, which helps to maintain the immune system and prevent the progression of HIV to AIDS. By keeping the viral load low, the risk of opportunistic infections and other complications associated with AIDS is significantly reduced.

Choice B Reason:

One of the primary goals of antiretroviral therapy (ART) is to decrease the viral load to an undetectable level. When the viral load is undetectable, it means that the amount of HIV in the blood is so low that it cannot be detected by standard laboratory tests. Achieving and maintaining an undetectable viral load is crucial for the health of the individual and helps to prevent the progression of the disease.

Choice C Reason:

It is important to understand that while antiretroviral therapy can control HIV infection and reduce the viral load to undetectable levels, it does not cure the infection. HIV remains in the body, and if the medication is stopped, the viral load will increase again. Continuous adherence to the medication regimen is necessary to keep the virus under control and maintain health.

Choice D Reason:

While antiretroviral therapy significantly reduces the risk of HIV transmission, it does not completely prevent it. The concept of “undetectable = untransmittable” (U=U) means that individuals with an undetectable viral load have effectively no risk of transmitting the virus through sex7. However, it is still important to use other preventive measures, such as condoms, to further reduce the risk of transmission.