[nursesaideBen]

Hi all! I started Phase 2 of the LPN program August 14th and yesturday we started our Med/surg clinicals, I had a really interesting patient. He had AIDS been admitted for immunocompromised pneumonia and had staph scalding syndrome. I had NEVER heard of this skin condition, it litterally looked like all his skin was "shedding" off. When I was helping him get dressed and he pulled up his sweat pants I could hear the skin ripping as he did so. It was so pitiful however I really enjoyed working with him. I've always been fascinated my HIV/AIDS and it was a WONDERFUL day, however I was shocked that he was not in protectective isolation. He was only under Standard precautions. This shocked me since A) he's immunocompromised B)he's already got pneumonia and on vancomyocin C) his skin is not intact, it's falling off, making him even more vulnerable to infection. Even my instructor was shocked by this. Am I being silly, or should this guy have been in protective isolation?

[traumaRUs]

Good question. Off the top of my head, I would say reverse isolation would have been indicated.

[nicolel1182]

Wow, I'm surprised that your instructor gave you an AIDS patient, in my school they wouldn't do it. Thats awesome that you enjoyed working with him. I couldn't even imagine what its like to be in his shoes.
I don't know about the isolation.

[Mave RN]

I would think so. He's in an extremely vulnerable condition. He should have been in strict contact/protective precautions.

[HappyNurse2005]

Wow, I'm surprised that your instructor gave you an AIDS patient, in my school they wouldn't do it.

really, why not? When i was in school, i had one aids pt that i knew about. YOu will face aids pt's in the real world, in any field of nursing, so why would you NOT have one in school? Especially considering you may have already had one, but the patient just didn't know it.

I think that by telling the students they can't take aids pt's, b/c its dangerous, risky, etc (whatever) it just further perpetuates stereotypes and fear on the part of heathcare workers, which these pt's are acutely aware of, and do not need.

[PANurseRN1]

Originally Posted by nicolel1182

Wow, I'm surprised that your instructor gave you an AIDS patient, in my school they wouldn't do it. Thats awesome that you enjoyed working with him. I couldn't even imagine what its like to be in his shoes.
I don't know about the isolation.

Why on earth not?