related to:
- depression, fear, anxiety, and ongoing grieving associated with the diagnosis of AIDS and poor prognosis;
- need for permanent change in lifestyle associated with impaired immune system functioning and potential for disease transmission to others;
- uncertainty of disease course and feelings of powerlessness over course of disease;
- need for disclosure of diagnosis with possibility of subsequent rejection and/or distancing by others and loss of employment and health benefits;
- guilt associated with past behavior (if it was a factor in contracting HIV) and/or possibility of having transmitted HIV to others;
- lack of personal resources to deal with disability and premature death associated with youth (a significant number of clients are in their twenties or thirties and are not developmentally prepared to acknowledge and cope with disability and their own mortality);
- multiple losses (e.g. death of close friends with AIDS; loss of normal body functioning, family support, financial security, and/or usual lifestyle and roles);
- chronic symptoms (e.g. pain, diarrhea, fatigue) if present.
*The nurse should select the diagnostic label that is most appropriate for the client.
Desired Outcome
- The client will demonstrate adjustment to current health status and effective coping as evidenced by:
- verbalization of acceptance of having AIDS and ability to cope with the disease
- verbalization of a sense of control over health status
- utilization of appropriate problem-solving techniques
- willingness to participate in treatment plan and meet basic needs
- absence of destructive behavior toward self and others
- utilization of available support systems.
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