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
Anxiety/Fear
Nursing Diagnosis
- Anxiety
- Fear
May be related to
- Threat to self-concept, threat of death, change in health/socioeconomic status, role functioning
- Interpersonal transmission and contagion
- Separation from support system
- Fear of transmission of the disease to family/loved ones
Possibly evidenced by
- Increased tension, apprehension, feelings of helplessness/hopelessness
- Expressed concern regarding changes in life
- Fear of unspecific consequences
- Somatic complaints, insomnia; sympathetic stimulation, restlessness
Desired Outcomes
- Verbalize awareness of feelings and healthy ways to deal with them.
- Display appropriate range of feelings and lessened fear/anxiety.
- Demonstrate problem-solving skills.
- Use resources effectively.
| Nursing Interventions | Rationale |
|---|---|
| Assure patient of confidentiality within limits of situation. | Provides reassurance and opportunity for patient to problem-solve solutions to anticipated situations. |
| Maintain frequent contact with patient. Talk with and touch patient. Limit use of isolation clothing and masks. | Provides assurance that patient is not alone or rejected; conveys respect for and acceptance of the person, fostering trust. |
| Provide accurate, consistent information regarding prognosis. Avoid arguing about patient’s perceptions of the situation. | Can reduce anxiety and enable patient to make decisions and choices based on realities. |
| Be alert to signs of withdrawal, anger, or inappropriate remarks as these can be signs of indenial or depression. Determine presence of suicidal ideation and assess potential on a scale of 1–10. | Patient may use defense mechanism of denial and continue to hope that diagnosis is inaccurate. Feelings of guilt and spiritual distress may cause patient to become withdrawn and believe that suicide is a viable alternative. Although patient may be too “sick” to have enough energy to implement thoughts, ideation must be taken seriously and appropriate intervention initiated. |
| Provide open environment in which patient feels safe to discuss feelings or to refrain from talking. | Helps patient feel accepted in present condition without feeling judged, and promotes sense of dignity and control. |
| Permit expressions of anger, fear, despair without confrontation. Give information that feelings are normal and are to be appropriately expressed. | Acceptance of feelings allows patient to begin to deal with situation. |
| Recognize and support the stage patient and/or family is at in the grieving process. | Choice of interventions as dictated by stage of grief, coping behaviors |
| Explain procedures, providing opportunity for questions and honest answers. Arrange for someone to stay with patient during anxiety-producing procedures and consultations. | Accurate information allows patient to deal more effectively with the reality of the situation, thereby reducing anxiety and fear of the known. |
| Identify and encourage patient interaction with support systems. Encourage verbalization and interaction with family/SO. | Reduces feelings of isolation. If family support systems are not available, outside sources may be needed immediately |
| Provide reliable and consistent information and support for SO. | Allows for better interpersonal interaction and reduction of anxiety and fear. |
| Include SO as indicated when major decisions are to be made. | Ensures a support system for patient, and allows SO the chance to participate in patient’s life. If patient, family, and SO are in conflict, separate care consultations and visiting times may be needed. |
| Discuss Advance Directives, end-of-life desires or needs. Review specific wishes and explain various options clearly. | May assist patient or SO to plan realistically for terminal stages and death. Many individuals do not understand medical terminology or options, |
| Refer to psychiatric counseling (psychiatric clinical nurse specialist, psychiatrist, social worker). | May require further assistance in dealing with diagnosis or prognosis, especially when suicidal thoughts are present. |
| Provide contact with other resources as indicated: Spiritual advisor or hospice staff | Provides opportunity for addressing spiritual concerns. May help relieve anxiety regarding end-of-life care and support for patient/SO. |
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