Question

Description:

Cindy Chen, a 28-year-old Asian female complaining of the inability to sleep and nervousness, arrives at the office. She tested positive for HIV in 2005. Currently, she lives with her aunt and is going to school to become a phlebotomist. She has lost 20 pounds since her last visit to the clinic. She also has had a persistent cough and sore throat for the last 3 months. The physician orders a series of blood tests, including the helper T-cell test and a throat culture. Dr. Whalen asks you to send the throat culture to the reference lab for culture instead of doing a rapid strep test in the office.

Discussion Questions:

1. Why are Cindy’s helper T cells being tested?
2. As Cindy’s HIV infection progresses, what symptoms might she exhibit?
3. What special precautions should you take when drawing Cindy’s blood?
4. Why do you think Dr. Whalen asked you to send the throat culture to the reference lab instead of doing a rapid strep test in the POL?

Answer 1

#. Cindy’s helper T cells are tested because it T cells are the lymphocytic cells which finds and kills the infectious organism and gives information about the infection .

#. Symptoms will include - fever, fatigue, and rash and headache, swollen lymph nodes, sore throat, achy feeling , nausea, vomit, diarrhea and night sweats.

#. The special precautions that should be taken when drawing Cindy’s blood are :-

- Follow universal precautions

- Hand washing before and after the procedure

- Use of PPE

- Avoid spillage of sample

- Avoid any splash

- Document correct patient detail and safe handling of sample

- Safe disposal of used equipments

#. A throat culture is more accurate than the rapid strep test. The rapid strep test can give false-negative results even when strep bacteria are present.