Maladaptive coping in the critically ill population with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome: nursing assessment and...

A diagnosis of the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) is a devastating experience, placing those with the syndrome at high risk for ineffective coping. During the acute stage of illness, when the patient is admitted to a critical care setting, a crisis can ensue and precipitate intense anxiety, anger, denial, depression, and even suicidal ideation. Although it is imperative that critical care nurses become proficient in accurately assessing, diagnosing, and treating the disease in individuals who have an increased risk of maladaptive coping, there is no systematic basis for assessing the coping of patients with AIDS. Our purpose is to present a theoretically based explanation of the coping experience of persons with AIDS and to delineate nursing interventions designed to deal with maladaptive responses. The early and deliberate assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of such responses by means of a full range of psychosocial interventions are needed to enhance the coping efforts of the patients and optimize their psychosocial adjustment.