During a prenatal counseling session a client indicates concern about her potential HIV positive status. The client states she does not want to "jinx" the pregnancy by getting tested because if she is positive, so is the baby

Question

Which statement by the nurse is indicated? 1. "You are right to avoid the stress of finding out you are HIV positive during the pregnancy.".
2. "If you are HIV positive, your baby will also have HIV.".
3. "Even if you do test HIV positive, preventive treatments have a good chance of providing protection for your baby.".
4. "As long as you do not breastfeed and have a cesarean section, your baby will be protected.".

Answer 1

3
Rationale 1: While testing during pregnancy may be stressful to the mother, the potential benefits are immeasurable. The highest priority for the nurse is to provide education concerning the benefits of prenatal testing.
Rationale 2: Prophylactic antiviral therapies can significantly reduce the incidence of transmission between mother and baby during the pregnancy. Without treatment, the risk of transmission to the baby is greatest.
Rationale 3: Prophylactic antiviral therapies can significantly reduce the incidence of transmission between mother and baby during the pregnancy. Without treatment, the risk of transmission to the baby is greatest.
Rationale 4: Although breastfeeding and a cesarean section delivery will reduce the rate of transmission, they are not 100% effective tools of prevention.