A patient suspected of having human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) tests positive on an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The nurse understands that:
Explanation
• Testing for HIV using the ELISA can produce false-positives. The test has a high sensitivity and low specificity, meaning a negative result indicates the absence of disease but a positive result may not indicate the presence of disease
• If the ELISA is positive, a western blot test is required for confirmation
• Treatment begins after confirmation using the western blot test