A nurse on a medical-surgical unit is planning to delegate tasks to an adult volunteer. Which of the following tasks should the charge nurse avoid assigning to the volunteer?

Choice A rationale:
Flu-like symptoms: These are common during the early stages of HIV infection, often within 2-4 weeks after exposure to the virus. They are a result of the body's immune system responding to the virus. Symptoms can include:
Fever Fatigue

Muscle aches

Headache Sore throat

Rash

Swollen lymph nodes
Night sweats: These are also common in early HIV infection and can be caused by the body's attempts to fight off the virus or by inflammation. They can also be a side effect of some HIV medications.

Choice B rationale:
Kaposi's sarcoma (KS): This is a type of cancer that is associated with HIV infection. It is caused by a virus called Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV). KS often appears as purple or red lesions on the skin or in the mouth. It can also affect other organs, such as the lungs and lymph nodes. However, it's not a common initial symptom of HIV infection. It usually develops in later stages of HIV when the immune system is severely weakened.

Choice C rationale:
Fungal and bacterial infections: People with HIV are more susceptible to infections because the virus weakens their immune system. However, fungal and bacterial infections are not typically among the initial symptoms of HIV infection. They usually occur in later stages of the disease when the immune system is more compromised.

Choice D rationale:
Pneumocystis lung infection (PCP): This is a serious lung infection that is caused by a fungus called Pneumocystis jirovecii. It is a common opportunistic infection in people with HIV, but it is not typically an initial symptom. It usually develops in later stages of HIV when the CD4 count (a measure of immune system health) is very low.

Choice A rationale:
While inquiring about pre-seizure symptoms can be informative, it's not the most crucial question at this point. The priority is to gather information about medication adherence to assess potential causes for the breakthrough seizure.

Choice B rationale:
Assessing for post-ictal fatigue is important, but it's not the most pressing question in the immediate aftermath of a seizure. Determining medication adherence takes precedence.

Choice D rationale:
Establishing whether consciousness was lost can aid in classifying seizure type, but it's not as critical as understanding medication adherence in the initial assessment.

Choice C rationale:
This question directly addresses a potential cause of the seizure. Understanding when the client last took their medication can help determine if missed or delayed doses contributed to the seizure, guide medication adjustments, and inform further seizure prevention strategies.