The nurse is caring for a patient with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). To evaluate for early signs of Kaposi's sarcoma, the nurse assesses the patient for lesions that are

Explanation

• Cutaneous lesions associated with Kaposi's sarcoma may be cosmetically disfiguring and are usually papular (but may be macular or nodular), nonpruritic, painless, and deep red or violet.

• Early in the disease they typically appear on the skin and mucous membranes.

• Kaposi's sarcoma is an opportunistic infection caused by human herpesvirus 8, an oncovirus. It must be diagnosed with skin biopsy.  It causes tumor cells that may progress to affect internal organs.

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