A nurse is caring for a client who has HIV infection dementia and has progressed to AIDS. Which of the following findings should the nurse expect?

Choice A rationale The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) targets CD4+ T-lymphocytes, compromising the immune system, leading to AIDS which is associated with chronic inflammation and opportunistic infections. This prolonged state often results in anemia due to bone marrow suppression, chronic disease effects on erythropoiesis, or nutritional deficiencies. Therefore, decreased hemoglobin, not increased (normal male: 14-18 g/dL; female: 12-16 g/dL), is expected in advanced HIV/AIDS. Choice B rationale The primary characteristic of advanced HIV/AIDS is a significant destruction of CD4+ T-lymphocytes, which are a type of white blood cell (WBC). While some opportunistic infections may cause an initial increase, the hallmark of disease progression to AIDS is severe immunosuppression and a decreased CD4+ count (below 200 cells/mm) and often leukopenia or a low total WBC count (normal: 4,500-11,000 cells/mm). Choice C rationale Night sweats are a common systemic symptom in clients with advanced HIV infection or AIDS, often classified as a B symptom. This constitutional symptom is frequently associated with the viremia and the immune system's response to the persistent viral replication or underlying opportunistic infections, such as Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) or tuberculosis, which are prevalent in the setting of severe immunosuppression. Choice D rationale Wasting syndrome is a critical defining diagnosis of AIDS, characterized by involuntary loss of greater than 10.