The HIV-infected patient who has just seroconverted says he just cannot take all those confusing, expensive antiretroviral (ART) medications. He says he still feels fine, anyway. What should the nurse keep in mind when counseling this patient?
a. Resumption of the ART later in the disease is just as effective
b. Adherence to the ART protocol is essential to the success of the treatment
c. Cessation of the ART may prevent the emergence of a resistant strain of HIV
d. Once ART is initiated it cannot be restarted in the same patient
ANS: B
Compliance and adherence to the ART protocol is essential to its success. Cessation of the medication may stimulate the emergence of a resistant strain of HIV virus. ART can be restarted, but the optimum time to start is soon after seroconversion.
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