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
Fatigue
Nursing Diagnosis
- Fatigue
May be related to
- Decreased metabolic energy production, increased energy requirements
- (hypermetabolic state)
- Overwhelming psychological/emotional demands
- Altered body chemistry: side effects of medication, chemotherapy
Possibly evidenced by
- Unremitting/overwhelming lack of energy, inability to maintain usual routines, decreased performance, impaired ability to concentrate, lethargy/listlessness
- Disinterest in surroundings
Desired Outcomes
- Report improved sense of energy.
- Perform ADLs, with assistance as necessary.
- Participate in desired activities at level of ability
| Nursing Interventions | Rationale |
|---|---|
| Assess sleep patterns and note changes in thought processes and behavior. | Multiple factors can aggravate fatigue, including sleep deprivation, emotional distress, side effects of drugs and chemotherapies, and developing CNS disease. |
| Recommend scheduling activities for periods when patient has most energy. Plan care to allow for rest periods. Involve patient and SO in schedule planning. | Planning allows patient to be active during times when energy level is higher, which may restore a feeling of well-being and a sense of control. Frequent rest periods are needed to restore or conserve energy. |
| Establish realistic activity goals with patient. | Provides for a sense of control and feelings of accomplishment. Prevents discouragement from fatigue of overactivity. |
| Encourage patient to do whatever possible: self-care, sit in chair, short walks. Increase activity level as indicated. | May conserve strength, increase stamina, and enable patient to become more active without undue fatigue and discouragement. |
| Identify energy conservation techniques: sitting, breaking ADLs into manageable segments. Keep travel ways clear of furniture. Provide or assist with ambulation and self-care needs as appropriate. | Weakness may make ADLs almost impossible for patient to complete. Protects patient from injury during activities. |
| Monitor physiological response to activity: changes in BP, respiratory rate, or heart rate. | Tolerance varies greatly, depending on the stage of the disease process, nutrition state, fluid balance, and number or type of opportunistic diseases that patient has been subject to. |
| Encourage nutritional intake. | Adequate intake or utilization of nutrients is necessary to meet increased energy needs for activity. Continuous stimulation of the immune system by HIV infection contributes to a hypermetabolic state. |
| Refer to physical and/or occupational therapy. | Programmed daily exercises and activities help patient maintain and increase strength and muscle tone, enhance sense of well-being. |
| Refer to community resources | Provides assistance in areas of individual need as ability to care for self becomes more difficult. |
| Provide supplemental O2 as indicated. | Presence of anemia or hypoxemia reduces oxygen available for cellular uptake and contributes to fatigue. |
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