Which of the following may be an indicator of AIDS in an individual?

UPPSC-2021

Medical & Surgical Nursing

Easy

Appeared in: UPPSC-2021

Explanation

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) is diagnosed in an HIV-positive individual when their immune system is severely compromised.
The primary laboratory indicator for this is a CD4 T-lymphocyte count falling below 200 cells per cubic millimeter (cells/mm³).
This threshold signifies a high risk for developing life-threatening opportunistic infections and AIDS-defining illnesses.
This criterion is established by major health organizations like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO).

Option A: A CD4 count below 1000 cells/mm³ is within the lower range of normal for a healthy person (normal is 500-1500). In an HIV-positive person, it shows the virus is active but does not indicate AIDS.
Option B: A CD4 count below 800 cells/mm³ indicates some degree of immune suppression but is still well above the threshold for an AIDS diagnosis.
Option C: A CD4 count below 400 cells/mm³ signifies moderate immunodeficiency and an increased risk for certain infections like oral candidiasis or shingles. However, it is not the defining criterion for AIDS.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Diagnostic criteria for Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) based on CD4 count as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Nurses play a vital role in educating patients about the meaning of their CD4 count and the importance of adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART) to keep the count high and viral load low.
When a patient's CD4 count drops below 200 cells/mm³, nurses must intensify monitoring for signs of opportunistic infections (e.g., fever, cough, weight loss) and ensure prophylactic medications are administered correctly.
Patient safety is paramount. This includes implementing infection control measures (e.g., neutropenic precautions if necessary) for severely immunocompromised patients to protect them from hospital-acquired infections.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the core of the question, which is asking for the specific laboratory value that defines AIDS.
Recognize that the key term is 'AIDS', which is the final, most severe stage of HIV infection.
Scan the options, which are all different thresholds for CD4 counts. This confirms the question is testing your knowledge of HIV/AIDS staging criteria.
Recall the specific diagnostic criteria for AIDS. The most common and critical laboratory marker is the CD4 count.
Select the option that matches the internationally recognized threshold for an AIDS diagnosis, which is a CD4 count below 200 cells/mm³.

Concept Tested & Keywords

Concept Tested: Diagnostic criteria for Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) based on CD4 count.
Stem keywords: indicator, AIDS, CD4 count
Lead-in keywords: Which of the following
Negative lead-in flag: false

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