AIDS Certified Registered Nurse (ACRN) Certification Practice Exam 2025 – All-in-One Study Guide for Exam Success!

Pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP) is the opportunistic infection most commonly associated with HIV/AIDS due to the significant immunosuppression caused by the virus. Individuals with HIV are at a higher risk of developing PCP when their CD4 cell counts drop below 200 cells/mm³, as the immune system becomes increasingly unable to combat infections. PCP is a specific type of pneumonia caused by the fungus Pneumocystis jirovecii, which typically does not harm immunocompetent individuals.

The prevalence of PCP in people living with HIV/AIDS stem from the fact that it was one of the earliest recognized opportunistic infections associated with the virus, especially before the widespread use of effective antiretroviral therapy. Early on in the HIV epidemic, PCP was a leading cause of morbidity and mortality among those with advanced HIV disease.

Recognizing the significance of PCP in this context helps healthcare professionals understand the progression of HIV disease and the importance of early diagnosis and prophylaxis in at-risk patients, thus ensuring better management and treatment outcomes for those living with HIV/AIDS.