A client with HIV who is taking highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) medications is in radiology waiting for a chest x-ray when medications are due. What action by the nurse is best?

Question

a. Call radiology to see when the client will be brought back to the nursing unit.
b. Send the nursing assistant to radiology to bring the client back to the nursing unit.
c. Take the client's medications to radiology and administer them there if possible.
d. Stagger the next dose of the medication if the current dose is given late.

Answer 1

C
HAART medications must be given on time and in the correct dose when an HIV client is in the hospital. Missing or delaying even a few doses can lead to drug resistance. The best option would be for the nurse to administer the medications in radiology as the client continues to wait for the x-ray. Calling the radiology department might give the nurse information but does not ensure that the client receives the medication on time. Bringing the client back to the nursing unit might delay the x-ray.