Lewis - Chapter 15: HIV - NCLEX |Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)
Infection: CD4+ T-Cell Dynamics, Viral Load Monitoring, Antiretroviral Therapy
(ART) Adherence, Opportunistic Infections, Immune Function Preservation,
Preexposure and Postexposure Prophylaxis, Transmission Prevention,
Nutritional Optimization, Psychosocial Support, Vaccine Prophylaxis, Drug
Resistance, Efavirenz Safety, Metabolic Complications, Lipodystrophy,
Hyperlipidemia, Insulin Resistance, Patient Education, Risk Reduction Strategies,
Infection Control, Needle Safety, Sexual Health Counseling, HIV Screening,
Enzyme Immunoassay, Western Blot Confirmation, Perinatal Transmission,
Breastfeeding Risks, CD4 Thresholds, Symptomatic and Asymptomatic Stages,
Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) Diagnosis, Clinical Monitoring,
and Health Promotion Strategies Exam Questions Verified and Provided with
Complete A+ Graded Rationales Latest Updated 2026
The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patient is taught health promotion activities,
including good nutrition, avoiding alcohol, tobacco, drug use, and exposure to infectious agents, keeping
up to date with vaccines, getting adequate rest, and stress management. The nurse knows that the
rationale behind these interventions is best described as?
1 Delaying disease progression
2 Preventing disease transmission
3 Helping to cure the HIV infection
4 Enabling an increase in self-care activities
1
These health promotion activities , along with mental health counseling, support groups, and a
therapeutic relationship with health care providers, will promote a healthy immune system which may
delay disease progression. These measures will not cure HIV infection, prevent disease transmission, or
increase self-care activities.
Text Reference - p. 242
The nurse provides education to a patient who has expressed concern about HIV infection. Which
statement indicates that the patient understands the teaching?
,1 "I can't contract HIV unless there's an opportunistic infection present."
2 "Using a condom with a spermicide will give 100% protection from HIV."
3 "Using a condom with a spermicide will reduce my risk of contracting HIV."
4 "Kaposi's sarcoma is one of the first opportunistic infections to show up in someone with HIV."
3
Research indicates that using a condom with a spermicidal jelly containing nonoxynol-9 provides the
greatest reduction of risk of contracting HIV during sexual intercourse. An opportunistic infection does
not have to be present, a condom with spermicide does not provide 100% protection, and Kaposi's
sarcoma is not one of the first opportunistic infections to appear in someone infected with HIV.
Text Reference - p. 240
A female patient who is HIV positive is prescribed Efavirenz (Sustiva) in large doses. What question
should the nurse ask of the patient before administering the therapy to ensure drug safety?
1- "Are you pregnant?"
2- "Is your partner HIV positive?"
3- "Are you on your menses?"
4- "Have you ever had a blood transfusion?"
Answer = 1
Efavirenz (Sustiva) is an antiretroviral drug. Large doses could cause fetal anomalies; therefore, it is
important to know if the patient is pregnant. Asking about the HIV status of the partner is unrelated to
administration of the drug. The information about the patient's menses does not impact the
antiretroviral therapy. A history of blood transfusion helps ascertain the mode of infection, but does not
impact the drug therapy.
Text Reference - p. 238
A nurse is caring for a patient who is diagnosed with AIDS. The nurse should inform the patient that the
virus can be spread through which method?
1- Shaking hands
, 2- Sharing a toilet seat
3-Eating from the same utensils
4- Having unprotected sex
Answer = 4
AIDS can be transmitted from one individual to another by unprotected anal or vaginal sexual
intercourse. Any sexual activity that involves contact with body fluids, such as semen, vaginal secretions,
or blood, can spread the infection. Shaking hands, using common toilet seats, and sharing utensils do
not involve contact with body fluids. Therefore, the HIV infection cannot be transmitted through these
modes.
Text Reference - p. 231
A nurse is conducting a class for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) positive pregnant women. What
information should the nurse give them about routes of transmission and infective periods? Select all
that apply.
1 HIV can be transmitted by breastfeeding.
2 HIV can be transmitted even before it is detected on a screening test.
3 HIV can be transmitted by contact with vomitus.
4 HIV can be transmitted lifelong once a person is HIV-positive.
5 HIV can be transmitted by hugging and dry kissing.
Answer = 1, 2, 4
HIV can be transmitted as a result of contact with infected blood, semen, vaginal secretions, or breast
milk. Transmission of HIV occurs through sexual intercourse with an infected partner; exposure to HIV-
infected blood or blood products; and perinatal transmission during pregnancy, at delivery, or through
breastfeeding. HIV-infected individuals can transmit HIV to others within a few days after becoming
infected, even before it is detected on a screening test. The ability to transmit HIV continues for life. HIV
is not spread casually. The virus cannot be transmitted through hugging, dry kissing, shaking hands,
sharing eating utensils, using toilet seats, or casual encounters in any setting. It is not spread by tears,
saliva, urine, emesis (vomiting), sputum, feces, sweat, respiratory droplets, or enteric routes.
Text Reference - p. 232
Infection: CD4+ T-Cell Dynamics, Viral Load Monitoring, Antiretroviral Therapy
(ART) Adherence, Opportunistic Infections, Immune Function Preservation,
Preexposure and Postexposure Prophylaxis, Transmission Prevention,
Nutritional Optimization, Psychosocial Support, Vaccine Prophylaxis, Drug
Resistance, Efavirenz Safety, Metabolic Complications, Lipodystrophy,
Hyperlipidemia, Insulin Resistance, Patient Education, Risk Reduction Strategies,
Infection Control, Needle Safety, Sexual Health Counseling, HIV Screening,
Enzyme Immunoassay, Western Blot Confirmation, Perinatal Transmission,
Breastfeeding Risks, CD4 Thresholds, Symptomatic and Asymptomatic Stages,
Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) Diagnosis, Clinical Monitoring,
and Health Promotion Strategies Exam Questions Verified and Provided with
Complete A+ Graded Rationales Latest Updated 2026
The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patient is taught health promotion activities,
including good nutrition, avoiding alcohol, tobacco, drug use, and exposure to infectious agents, keeping
up to date with vaccines, getting adequate rest, and stress management. The nurse knows that the
rationale behind these interventions is best described as?
1 Delaying disease progression
2 Preventing disease transmission
3 Helping to cure the HIV infection
4 Enabling an increase in self-care activities
1
These health promotion activities , along with mental health counseling, support groups, and a
therapeutic relationship with health care providers, will promote a healthy immune system which may
delay disease progression. These measures will not cure HIV infection, prevent disease transmission, or
increase self-care activities.
Text Reference - p. 242
The nurse provides education to a patient who has expressed concern about HIV infection. Which
statement indicates that the patient understands the teaching?
,1 "I can't contract HIV unless there's an opportunistic infection present."
2 "Using a condom with a spermicide will give 100% protection from HIV."
3 "Using a condom with a spermicide will reduce my risk of contracting HIV."
4 "Kaposi's sarcoma is one of the first opportunistic infections to show up in someone with HIV."
3
Research indicates that using a condom with a spermicidal jelly containing nonoxynol-9 provides the
greatest reduction of risk of contracting HIV during sexual intercourse. An opportunistic infection does
not have to be present, a condom with spermicide does not provide 100% protection, and Kaposi's
sarcoma is not one of the first opportunistic infections to appear in someone infected with HIV.
Text Reference - p. 240
A female patient who is HIV positive is prescribed Efavirenz (Sustiva) in large doses. What question
should the nurse ask of the patient before administering the therapy to ensure drug safety?
1- "Are you pregnant?"
2- "Is your partner HIV positive?"
3- "Are you on your menses?"
4- "Have you ever had a blood transfusion?"
Answer = 1
Efavirenz (Sustiva) is an antiretroviral drug. Large doses could cause fetal anomalies; therefore, it is
important to know if the patient is pregnant. Asking about the HIV status of the partner is unrelated to
administration of the drug. The information about the patient's menses does not impact the
antiretroviral therapy. A history of blood transfusion helps ascertain the mode of infection, but does not
impact the drug therapy.
Text Reference - p. 238
A nurse is caring for a patient who is diagnosed with AIDS. The nurse should inform the patient that the
virus can be spread through which method?
1- Shaking hands
, 2- Sharing a toilet seat
3-Eating from the same utensils
4- Having unprotected sex
Answer = 4
AIDS can be transmitted from one individual to another by unprotected anal or vaginal sexual
intercourse. Any sexual activity that involves contact with body fluids, such as semen, vaginal secretions,
or blood, can spread the infection. Shaking hands, using common toilet seats, and sharing utensils do
not involve contact with body fluids. Therefore, the HIV infection cannot be transmitted through these
modes.
Text Reference - p. 231
A nurse is conducting a class for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) positive pregnant women. What
information should the nurse give them about routes of transmission and infective periods? Select all
that apply.
1 HIV can be transmitted by breastfeeding.
2 HIV can be transmitted even before it is detected on a screening test.
3 HIV can be transmitted by contact with vomitus.
4 HIV can be transmitted lifelong once a person is HIV-positive.
5 HIV can be transmitted by hugging and dry kissing.
Answer = 1, 2, 4
HIV can be transmitted as a result of contact with infected blood, semen, vaginal secretions, or breast
milk. Transmission of HIV occurs through sexual intercourse with an infected partner; exposure to HIV-
infected blood or blood products; and perinatal transmission during pregnancy, at delivery, or through
breastfeeding. HIV-infected individuals can transmit HIV to others within a few days after becoming
infected, even before it is detected on a screening test. The ability to transmit HIV continues for life. HIV
is not spread casually. The virus cannot be transmitted through hugging, dry kissing, shaking hands,
sharing eating utensils, using toilet seats, or casual encounters in any setting. It is not spread by tears,
saliva, urine, emesis (vomiting), sputum, feces, sweat, respiratory droplets, or enteric routes.
Text Reference - p. 232
