Question

The postpartal client with HIV asks the nurse whether she will be able to breastfeed her baby. Which instruction should the nurse give the client regarding breastfeeding if the client is positive for the human immunodeficiency virus? A. You can breastfeed your baby after the first 48 hours because colostrum contains HIV. B. Breast milk is allowed if you pump the milk and heat it before giving it to the baby. C. Breastfeeding is permitted in the early stages of HIV syndrome. D. Breastfeeding is not permitted because breast milk can be contaminated with the virus.

Short answer

Answer: D. Breastfeeding is not permitted because breast milk can be contaminated with the virus.

Step-by-step solution

Review information about HIV and breastfeeding

To answer the question, we need to have an understanding of how HIV can be transmitted, especially in the context of breastfeeding. According to medical sources, mothers with HIV can indeed pass the virus to their babies through breast milk. The risk of transmission increases with the duration of breastfeeding and the presence of maternal and infant factors, such as viral load, low CD4 count, breast inflammation, and breast milk substitutes.

Evaluate each option

Now let's evaluate each of the given options: A. You can breastfeed your baby after the first 48 hours because colostrum contains HIV: This statement suggests that breastfeeding can be practiced after 48 hours, but it does not eliminate the risk of transmitting HIV through breast milk. B. Breast milk is allowed if you pump the milk and heat it before giving it to the baby: Heating breast milk can reduce nutritional quality and immunological benefits. Moreover, available studies are not sufficient to support the sole use of heat-treated breast milk for the prevention of mother to child transmission of HIV. C. Breastfeeding is permitted in the early stages of HIV syndrome: HIV can be transmitted through breast milk in any stage of the disease, not just the early stages. D. Breastfeeding is not permitted because breast milk can be contaminated with the virus: This statement accurately reflects the risk of HIV transmission through breastfeeding.

Choose the correct answer

According to the analysis done in step 2, we can conclude that option D is the most accurate answer among the given choices. It appropriately addresses the risk of HIV transmission through breast milk and the need for alternative feeding methods to protect the baby from potential infection. So the instruction the nurse should give the client regarding breastfeeding if the client is positive for the human immunodeficiency virus is: D. Breastfeeding is not permitted because breast milk can be contaminated with the virus.