Complete the sentence using the drop-down selections When caring for a HIV+ patient the nurse is aware that dropdownis an opportunistic infection. It is caused by dropdownand treated withdropdown.
Explanation & Rationale
Rationale for Correct Answer: White plaque in the mouth: In HIV+ patients, white plaque in the mouth is commonly a sign of oral candidiasis, which presents as a white coating on the tongue or inside the mouth. This is a classic opportunistic infection in immunocompromised individuals. Candida albicans: Candida albicans is a fungal organism that causes oral candidiasis (thrush), which is a common opportunistic infection in HIV+ patients, especially when their immune system is compromised. Antifungal medications: The treatment for oral candidiasis is typically antifungal medications, such as fluconazole or nystatin, which help eliminate the fungal infection in the mouth. Rationale for Incorrect Choices: Diarrhea: While diarrhea is common in HIV+ patients, it is not specific to any one opportunistic infection and could be caused by a variety of pathogens. It is not directly associated with Candida albicans, which causes white plaque in the mouth. Erectile dysfunction: Erectile dysfunction is a possible complication of HIV or its treatments, but it is not considered an opportunistic infection and does not relate to fungal infections like Candida albicans. Sore throat: Sore throat can be caused by many factors, including viral infections, but it is not specifically linked to Candida albicans or the treatment with antifungal medications. Streptococcus pneumoniae: Streptococcus pneumoniae is a bacterial pathogen that can cause infections like pneumonia, but it is not the cause of white plaque in the mouth or candidiasis. Mycobacterium tuberculosis: Mycobacterium tuberculosis causes tuberculosis, a serious bacterial infection, but it is not associated with oral candidiasis and is treated with antibiotics, not antifungals. Pneumocystis jirovecii: Pneumocystis jirovecii causes pneumonia in immunocompromised patients, especially those with HIV, but it does not cause white plaque in the mouth. It requires antiprotozoal medications for treatment. Antiviral medications: Antiviral medications are used to treat viral infections, such as HIV itself or herpes, but not fungal infections like oral candidiasis, which requires antifungal medications. Antibiotics: Antibiotics are used to treat bacterial infections, but Candida albicans is a fungal infection, so antifungal medications are required, not antibiotics. Antiprotozoal medications: Antiprotozoal medications would not be used for the treatment of Candida albicans infections (like oral thrush), which are fungal in nature and are treated with antifungal medications.