The nurse has given nutritional instructions to a patient with acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) who has recurrent diarrhea. Which statement by the patient requires further instructions?

A. Using appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE): Standard precautions include the use of PPE such as gloves, masks, gowns, and eye protection when caring for all patients, regardless of their known or suspected infectious status. This helps prevent the transmission of pathogens between the patient and the healthcare provider.

B. Placing patient in positive pressure isolation room: Placing a patient in a positive pressure isolation room is not a component of standard precautions. Positive pressure rooms are typically used for patients with compromised immune systems to protect them from exposure to airborne pathogens. Standard precautions should be followed regardless of the patient's room type.

C. Placing patient in contact precautions: Contact precautions involve specific measures to prevent the transmission of pathogens through direct or indirect contact with the patient or their environment. While contact precautions may be necessary for certain infectious diseases, they are not a component of standard precautions.

D. Wearing gloves at all times: While wearing gloves is part of standard precautions, it is not the only key element. Standard precautions also include other forms of PPE such as masks, gowns, and eye protection, as well as other infection control practices such as hand hygiene and environmental cleaning.

A. Human Immunodeficiency virus encephalopathy:
Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) encephalopathy, also known as HIV-associated neurocognitive disorder (HAND), is a common neurological complication of HIV/AIDS. It occurs due to the direct effects of HIV on the central nervous system (CNS), leading to cognitive impairment, behavioral changes, and motor dysfunction. The progressive decline in cognitive, behavioral, and motor functions described in the patient is characteristic of HIV encephalopathy. Therefore, this choice is the most likely explanation for the patient's symptoms.

B. Beta-cell lymphoma:
Beta-cell lymphoma, also known as primary central nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL), is a rare but serious complication of HIV/AIDS. It involves the development of malignant lymphomas within the CNS. While PCNSL can cause neurological symptoms, such as cognitive decline and motor dysfunction, it typically presents with focal neurological deficits and signs of increased intracranial pressure, which are not mentioned in the scenario. Therefore, beta-cell lymphoma is less likely to be the cause of the patient's symptoms compared to HIV encephalopathy.

C. Kaposi sarcoma:
Kaposi sarcoma is a type of cancer caused by human herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8) infection, which commonly affects individuals with HIV/AIDS. While Kaposi sarcoma can involve the CNS and potentially lead to neurological symptoms, such as headaches and focal neurological deficits, the progressive decline in cognitive, behavioral, and motor functions described in the scenario is not typically associated with Kaposi sarcoma. Therefore, this choice is less likely to explain the patient's symptoms compared to HIV encephalopathy.

D. Wasting syndrome:
Wasting syndrome, also known as cachexia, is a syndrome characterized by unintentional weight loss, weakness, and muscle atrophy. While wasting syndrome is a common complication of advanced HIV/AIDS, it primarily affects body composition and nutritional status rather than causing progressive decline in cognitive, behavioral, and motor functions. Therefore, wasting syndrome is less likely to be the cause of the patient's symptoms compared to HIV encephalopathy.