A nurse is caring for a client who has human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Which laboratory value should the nurse alert the provider of?
Positive Western blot test
CD4-T-cell count 180 cells/mm³ (Range: 500 to 1500 cells/mm³)
Platelets 150,000/mm³ (Range: 150,000-400,000 cells/mm³)
WBC 5,000/mm³ (Range: 5,000-10,000 cells/mm³)
The Correct Answer is B
A. A positive Western blot test indicates an HIV diagnosis, which is expected in a client with HIV and does not require urgent intervention.
B. A CD4-T-cell count of 180 cells/mm³ is significantly low (normal range: 500 to 1500 cells/mm³) and indicates severe immunosuppression, putting the client at increased risk for opportunistic infections, warranting immediate attention from the provider.
C. A platelet count of 150,000/mm³ is at the lower end of the normal range and does not typically require immediate intervention unless there are clinical symptoms associated.
D. A WBC count of 5,000/mm³ is within the normal range and does not indicate a need for urgent intervention.
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Correct Answer is B
Explanation
A. Over-hydration is not a trigger for a sickle cell crisis; in fact, adequate hydration helps prevent sickling of the cells.
B. Dehydration is a significant trigger for sickle cell crises, as it can lead to increased blood viscosity and sickling of red blood cells.
C. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are often used to manage pain associated with sickle cell crises, but they do not trigger a crisis.
D. Vaccinations are important for preventing infections in individuals with sickle cell anemia but are not associated with triggering a sickle cell crisis.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
A. A quantitative RNA assay is used to measure the amount of HIV RNA in the blood and is not used for confirmatory diagnosis after a positive ELISA.
B. The Western blot analysis is the standard confirmatory test for HIV following a positive ELISA result, as it specifically detects the presence of antibodies to HIV proteins.
C. A viral load test assesses the level of virus in the blood but does not confirm the diagnosis of HIV.
D. The CD4+ T-cell count is used to assess immune function in individuals with HIV but is not a confirmatory test for the diagnosis of the virus.