A 43-year-old male patient is brought to the OR for a total hiparthroplasty. His chart shows that he is HIV+; he is in the earlystages of AIDS. He has Kaposi’s sarcoma skin lesions, painfullyswollen lymph nodes in the groin and axilla, and isunderweight.
1. What important principles should you consider whilepositioning the patient to protect him from pain and injury?
2. What are some special considerations concerning an AIDSpatient when placing the ESU grounding pad?
3. What complications could be encountered during the case thatthe CST should be prepared to assist the OR team in resolving?
4. Discuss the concept of standard precautions. Do you treatthis patient any differently because he is HIV+?
5. What exactly is Kaposi’s sarcoma?
