Reference no: EM133383683

Assignment:

Jason Q, a 36-year-old heterosexual man, comes into the hospital walk-in patient department seeking medical attention for breathing complaints, fevers, and malaise. His past medical history is positive for HIV, diagnosed about 10 years ago. Jason states that he is a recovered heroin addict who frequently took part in IV needle or syringe sharing in the early 1990s. He entered a drug rehabilitation program in 1995, and with the exception of occasional marijuana smoking, denies any illegal drug use since his rehabilitation. Jason reports that he smokes 1 to 1.5 packs of cigarettes per day and drinks "one or two beers" in the evening. He is divorced and lives in the basement apartment of his parents' home. He also reports that he has unintentionally "lost a lot of weight," going from about 180 pounds to 165 pounds in 6 to 8 months.

1. Explain how and when Jason likely contracted the HIV infection, based on his brief history.

2. Assuming that Jason does have HIV disease, what does his presentation today suggest about the progress of his disease (based only on what little we know about him at this time)?

3. To evaluate the current status of Jason's HIV disease: (a) What labs would you want to obtain, and (b) Why would you obtain them?

Clinical Update: Jason's CD4+ count is drawn, and the result is 152 cells. His respiratory assessment includes dyspnea, light bilateral crackles, nonproductive cough, chills, and fever. A portable chest film shows bilateral pulmonary infiltrates.

4. Based on what you now know about Jason's situation, what do these data suggest?

5. Jason's HIV disease is primarily an immunodeficiency of CD4+ and CD8+ cells. Describe these two types of cells and how their dysfunction can eventually cause Jason's AIDS.

Wagner et al., Instructor's Resource Manual for High-Acuity Nursing, 7th Edition