A client who is positive for HIV presents with confusion, fever, headache, blurred vision, nausea, and vomiting. What does the nurse do first?

a. Assess the client's deep tendon reflexes.
b. Ask the client to place his chin on his chest.
c. Start an IV line with normal saline.
d. Assess the client's pupil reaction.


B
The client's symptoms are associated with cryptococcal meningitis, so the nurse should first ask the client to place the chin on his or her chest. The presence of nuchal rigidity (pain when flexing the chin to the chest) helps confirm the diagnosis. An IV line may be started after the neurologic assessment is completed.

Nursing

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