Case 3: Laboratory Monitoring after Initiating Antiretroviral Therapy

Question | Discussion | References | CME Credit

You answered:

	A follow-up HIV RNA value should first be checked 10-12 weeks after starting therapy.

This answer is incorrect. According to the 2006 DHHS guidelines, patients should have an HIV RNA value checked 2-8 weeks after antiretroviral therapy is started. Waiting 10-12 weeks before checking an HIV RNA value could result in a missed opportunity to detect early inadequate virologic response that may have occurred as a result of poor adherence, pre-existing drug resistance, or use of a regimen with inadequate potency.

Choose another answer:

	The CD4 cell count is the most important laboratory test to obtain at 1 month after starting antiretroviral therapy.
	A follow-up HIV RNA value should first be checked 2-8 weeks after starting therapy.
	If the patient's baseline HIV RNA value of 112,000 copies/ml decrease to 55,000 copies/ml 4 weeks after starting therapy, it would indicate an excellent early response to antiretroviral therapy.

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