Nursing practice for HIV/AIDS fever care: a descriptive study

Area of Science:

• Nursing
• Infectious Diseases
• Public Health

Background:

• Fever is a common symptom in patients with Human Immunodeficiency Virus/Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (HIV/AIDS).
• Understanding nurses' perspectives on fever management in this population is crucial for effective care.
• Existing nursing interventions may not fully encompass the unique challenges of managing fever in HIV/AIDS patients.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore how nurses in AIDS care define and describe fever in HIV/AIDS patients.
• To identify nursing interventions used for fever management in this patient group.
• To compare current practices with established fever management strategies.

Main Methods:

• A descriptive study design was employed.
• Seventy-five registered nurses, nurse practitioners, and LPNs in Florida AIDS care settings were surveyed.
• Data were collected on interventions for AIDS-related fever.

Main Results:

• Nurses prioritize patient comfort and use interventions for low-grade to moderate fevers.
• The primary care provider is notified if fever exceeds 100.9°F despite interventions.
• Identified interventions showed some divergence from Association of Nurses in AIDS Care guidelines.

Conclusions:

• Nurses in AIDS care employ a distinct approach to fever management, focusing on comfort and specific interventions.
• Further research is needed to evaluate the efficacy of these unique nursing interventions.
• The findings suggest a potential need to refine or adapt existing fever management protocols for HIV/AIDS patients.