Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) is a serious secondary immunodeficiency disorder caused by the retrovirus, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Both diseases are characterized by the progressive destruction of cell-mediated (T-cell) immunity with subsequent effects on humoral (B-cell) immunity because of the pivotal role of the CD4+helper T cells in immune reactions. Immunodeficiency makes the patient susceptible to opportunistic infections, unusual cancers, and other abnormalities.
AIDS results from the infection of HIV which has two forms: HIV-1 and HIV-2. Both forms have the same model of transmission and similar opportunistic infections associated with AIDS, but studies indicate that HIV-2 develops more slowly and presents with milder symptoms than HIV-1. Transmission occurs through contact with infected blood or body fluids and is associated with identifiable high-risk behaviors.
Persons with HIV/AIDS have been found to fall into five general categories: (1) homosexual or bisexual men, (2) injection drug users, (3) recipients of infected blood or blood products, (4) heterosexual partners of a person with HIV infection, and (5) children born to an infected mother. The rate of infection is most rapidly increasing among minority women and is increasingly a disease of persons of color.
Nursing Care Plans
There is no cure yet for either HIV or AIDS. However, significant advances have been made to help patients control signs and symptoms and impair disease progression.
Here are 13 nursing care plans and nursing diagnosis for patients with AIDS/HIV Positive:
- Imbalanced Nutrition: Less Than Body Requirements
- Fatigue
- Acute/Chronic Pain
- Impaired Skin Integrity
- Impaired Oral Mucous Membrane
- Disturbed Thought Process
- Anxiety/Fear
- Social Isolation
- Powerlessness
- Deficient Knowledge
- Risk for Injury
- Risk for Deficient Fluid Volume
- Risk for Infection
- Other Possible Nursing Care Plans
Risk for Injury
Nursing Diagnosis
- Risk for Injury
Risk factors may include
- Abnormal blood profile: decreased vitamin K absorption, alteration in hepatic function, presence of autoimmune antiplatelet antibodies, malignancies (KS), and/or circulating endotoxins (sepsis)
Desired Outcomes
- Display homeostasis as evidenced by absence of bleeding.
| Nursing Interventions | Rationale |
|---|---|
| Avoid injections, rectal temperatures and rectal tubes. Administer rectal suppositories with caution. | Protects patient from procedure-related causes of bleeding: insertion of thermometers, rectal tubes can damage or tear rectal mucosa. Some medications need to be given via suppository, so caution is advised. |
| Maintain a safe environment. Keep all necessary objects and call bell within patient’s reach and place bed in low position. | Reduces accidental injury, which could result in bleeding. |
| Maintain bed rest or chair rest when platelets are below 10,000 or as individually appropriate. Assess medication regimen. | Reduces possibility of injury, although activity needs to be maintained. May need to discontinue or reduce dosage of a drug. Patient can have a surprisingly low platelet count without bleeding. |
| Hematest body fluids: urine, stool, vomitus, for occult blood. | Prompt detection of bleeding or initiation of therapy may prevent critical hemorrhage. |
| Observe for or report epistaxis, hemoptysis, hematuria, non menstrual vaginal bleeding, or oozing from lesions or body orifices and/or IV insertion sites. | Spontaneous bleeding may indicate development of DIC or immune thrombocytopenia, necessitating further evaluation and prompt intervention. |
| Monitor for changes in vital signs and skin color: BP, pulse, respirations, skin pallor and discoloration. | Presence of bleeding and hemorrhage may lead to circulatory failure and shock. |
| Evaluate change in level of consciousness. | May reflect cerebral bleeding. |
| Review laboratory studies: PT, aPTT, clotting time, platelets, Hb/Hct. | Detects alterations in clotting capability; identifies therapy needs. Many individuals (up to 80%) display platelet count below 50,000 and may be asymptomatic, necessitating regular monitoring. |
| Administer blood products as indicated. | Transfusions may be required in the event of persistent or massive spontaneous bleeding. |
| Avoid use of aspirin products and NSAIDs, especially in presence of gastric lesions. | These medications reduce platelet aggregation, impairing and prolonging the coagulation process, and may cause further gastric irritation, increasing risk of bleeding. |
Recommended Resources
Recommended nursing diagnosis and nursing care plan books and resources.
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- Nursing Care Plans: Nursing Diagnosis and Intervention (10th Edition)
An awesome book to help you create and customize effective nursing care plans. We highly recommend this book for its completeness and ease of use. - Nurse’s Pocket Guide: Diagnoses, Prioritized Interventions and Rationales
A quick-reference tool to easily select the appropriate nursing diagnosis to plan your patient’s care effectively. - NANDA International Nursing Diagnoses: Definitions & Classification, 2021-2023 (12th Edition)
The official and definitive guide to nursing diagnoses as reviewed and approved by the NANDA-I. This book focuses on the nursing diagnostic labels, their defining characteristics, and risk factors – this does not include nursing interventions and rationales. - Nursing Diagnosis Handbook, 12th Edition Revised Reprint with 2021-2023 NANDA-I® Updates
Another great nursing care plan resource that is updated to include the recent NANDA-I updates. - Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5(TM))
Useful for creating nursing care plans related to mental health and psychiatric nursing. - Ulrich & Canale’s Nursing Care Planning Guides, 8th Edition
Claims to have the most in-depth care plans of any nursing care planning book. Includes 31 detailed nursing diagnosis care plans and 63 disease/disorder care plans. - Maternal Newborn Nursing Care Plans (3rd Edition)
If you’re looking for specific care plans related to maternal and newborn nursing care, this book is for you. - Nursing Diagnosis Manual: Planning, Individualizing, and Documenting Client Care (7th Edition)
An easy-to-use nursing care plan book that is updated with the latest diagnosis from NANDA-I 2021-2023. - All-in-One Nursing Care Planning Resource: Medical-Surgical, Pediatric, Maternity, and Psychiatric-Mental Health (5th Edition)
Definitely an all-in-one resources for nursing care planning. It has over 100 care plans for different nursing topics.
See also
Other recommended site resources for this nursing care plan:
- Nursing Care Plans (NCP): Ultimate Guide and Database
Over 150+ nursing care plans for different diseases and conditions. Includes our easy-to-follow guide on how to create nursing care plans from scratch. - Nursing Diagnosis Guide and List: All You Need to Know to Master Diagnosing
Our comprehensive guide on how to create and write diagnostic labels. Includes detailed nursing care plan guides for common nursing diagnostic labels.
Other care plans related to communicable and infectious diseases:
Very informative thumbs up 👍
Thank you! Please do check also the study guide for HIV/AIDS here.
How would I go about Citing this page as a reference