Safe, Effective Care Environment
41. A nurse is counseling the parent of a young child with HIV. What information is essential for the nurse to convey during the first meeting?
Safe, Effective Care Environment
41. A nurse is counseling the parent of a young child with HIV. What information is essential for the nurse to convey during the first meeting?
. Children with HIV have shorter life expectancies than adults with HIV.
. Growth may be inhibited in the child with HIV.
. Adherence to antiretroviral therapy is critical for the child's health.
. Immunizations should be delayed until the child enters preschool.
Test-Taking Tip
Note the time frame given in the stem of the question: "during the first meeting." Initial counseling sessions regarding chronic illnesses should stress those self-care topics that have the greatest potential for harm, especially in the short term.
Content Area: Child Health, Infectious Disease; Integrated Process: Teaching and Learning; Cognitive Level: Application; Client Need/Subneed: Safe and Effective Care Environment/Safety and Infection Control/Standard/Transmission-based/Other Precautions
Safe, Effective Care Environment
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Answer 1 is incorrect because, although the younger the child is when the diagnosis of HIV is made, the lower the life expectancy, this information is best discussed when the parent has questions regarding prognosis. This should not be the nurse's main focus during an initial counseling session. Answer 2 is incorrect because, although children with HIV are at risk for developing failure to thrive, nutrition is not the most important topic of an initial meeting. Answer 3 is correct because it is essential that the parent recognize the importance of following through with the medication regimen prescribed by the practitioner. Failure to do so could quickly lead to resistant HIV and opportunistic infection. Answer 4 is incorrect because immunization is one of the keys to infection prevention in the child with HIV and should not be delayed.