When a patient with a positive HIV rapid test appears anxious and distracted, what should the nurse prioritize?

In situations where a patient has a positive HIV rapid test and is exhibiting signs of anxiety and distraction, it is crucial for the nurse to prioritize ensuring the accuracy of the test results. Recommending that the patient return for retesting addresses the immediate need for confirming the initial positive result, as rapid tests, while generally reliable, can yield false positives. Confirmatory testing is essential to establish a definitive diagnosis before any further education or interventions can occur.

This approach also helps to alleviate some of the patient's anxiety, as it provides a pathway towards clarity regarding their health status. Understanding whether the preliminary result is accurate can guide future conversations about treatment, partner protection, and risk notification, all of which are important but should follow the confirmation of the test results. Thus, confirming the diagnosis by recommending retesting aligns with prioritizing the patient's immediate emotional and medical needs.