Care of the AIDS Patient With Pneumocystis Pneumonia

In Brief Pneumocystis pneumonia and AIDS have been linked together for many years. In the 1980s and 1990s, these diseases often resulted in admission to the critical care unit for many patients. Since the discovery of antiretroviral therapy and Pneumocystis prophylaxis, this has been a less frequent occurrence. Knowledge about caring for this patient in the critical care unit is often not available. Psychological and physiological needs common to this population are different from other populations and must be addressed. Pharmacological challenges are common and may go unrecognized until complications ensue. This article seeks to alleviate some of the mystery associated with these issues. Pneumocystis pneumonia and AIDS have been linked together for many years. Patients with this disorder are admitted to critical care units. This article seeks to alleviate some of the mystery associated with psychological and physiological needs common in these patients.