The client with rheumatoid arthritis is having her rheumatoid factor (RF) drawn while she is having a flareup of the disease. Which result is seen in clients with rheumatoid arthritis?

Choice A reason: This is the correct statement because it reflects the fact that reexposure to HIV can increase the viral load and accelerate the decline of the immune system. HIV is a virus that infects and destroys the CD4 cells, which are the white blood cells that help fight infections. AIDS is the final stage of HIV infection, when the CD4 count falls below 200 cells/mm3 or the client develops an opportunistic infection. The progression from HIV to AIDS can vary from person to person, depending on several factors, such as viral strain, genetic factors, treatment adherence, and coinfections. Reexposure to HIV can expose the client to a different or more aggressive strain of the virus, which can overwhelm the immune system and hasten the development of AIDS.

Choice B reason: This is an incorrect statement because it ignores the role of nutrition in maintaining the health and function of the immune system. Diet can influence the progression of HIV to AIDS by affecting the client's weight, energy, metabolism, and susceptibility to infections. The client should eat a balanced and varied diet that provides adequate calories, protein, vitamins, minerals, and fluids. The client should also avoid foods that can cause diarrhea, dehydration, or food poisoning, which can worsen the symptoms and complications of HIV infection.

Choice C reason: This is an incorrect statement because it contradicts the evidence that shows that meditation can have positive effects on the psychological and physiological wellbeing of people living with HIV. Meditation is a mindbody practice that involves focusing attention on the present moment, breathing, and relaxation. Meditation can help the client cope with stress, anxiety, depression, and pain, which are common challenges for people living with HIV. Meditation can also improve the immune system function by reducing inflammation, oxidative stress, and cortisol levels, which can slow down the progression of HIV to AIDS.

Choice D reason: This is an incorrect statement because it overlooks the impact of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) on the course of HIV infection. STIs can increase the risk of transmitting and acquiring HIV by causing ulcers, inflammation, or bleeding in the genital area, which can facilitate the entry and exit of the virus. STIs can also increase the viral load and decrease the CD4 count, which can speed up the progression of HIV to AIDS. The client should practice safe sex by using condoms, getting tested and treated for STIs, and informing their sexual partners about their HIV status.

Choice A reason: Higherthannormal number of CD4+ Tcells and CD8+ Tcells are normal is not a laboratory value that most adults with human immunodeficiency virus will exhibit, because it does not reflect the effect of the virus on the immune system. CD4+ Tcells and CD8+ Tcells are types of white blood cells that play a key role in the immune response. CD4+ Tcells are helper cells that activate and coordinate other immune cells, while CD8+ Tcells are cytotoxic cells that kill infected or abnormal cells. Human immunodeficiency virus infects and destroys CD4+ Tcells, which impairs the immune function and increases the risk of opportunistic infections and cancers. CD8+ Tcells are not directly affected by the virus, but they may increase in number as a compensatory mechanism to fight the infection. Therefore, most adults with human immunodeficiency virus will have lowerthannormal number of CD4+ Tcells and higher than normal CD8+ Tcells.

Choice B reason: Lowerthannormal number of CD4+ Tcells and CD8+ Tcells are normal is not a laboratory value that most adults with human immunodeficiency virus will exhibit, because it does not reflect the effect of the virus on the immune system, as explained above. Lowerthannormal number of CD4+ Tcells and CD8+ Tcells are normal may indicate a condition that affects both types of Tcells, such as aplastic anemia, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or immunosuppressive drugs.

Choice C reason: Lowerthannormal number of CD4+ Tcells and higher than normal CD8+ Tcells is a laboratory value that most adults with human immunodeficiency virus will exhibit, because it reflects the effect of the virus on the immune system, as explained above. Lowerthannormal number of CD4+ Tcells and higher than normal CD8+ Tcells may indicate the progression of the infection and the severity of the immunodeficiency. The normal range of CD4+ Tcells is 500 to 1500 cells per microliter of blood, while the normal range of CD8+ Tcells is 150 to 1000 cells per microliter of blood.

Choice D reason: Higherthannormal number of CD4+ Tcells and CD8+ Tcells are low is not a laboratory value that most adults with human immunodeficiency virus will exhibit, because it does not reflect the effect of the virus on the immune system, as explained above. Higherthannormal number of CD4+ Tcells and CD8+ Tcells are low may indicate a condition that affects CD8+ Tcells, such as leukemia, lymphoma, or corticosteroid therapy.