CD4 count threshold commonly cited for safety in elective procedures in HIV is

• A. 150
• B. 180
• C. 200
• D. 220

Answer: (C)

The main idea here is how immune function, reflected by CD4 count, influences the safety of elective procedures in people with HIV. CD4 cells are a key part of the immune system, and when their count drops into a level that defines AIDS, the body’s defenses against infections are markedly weakened. This makes surgery riskier: higher chances of postoperative infections and slower healing.

That’s why a conventional safety cutoff is tied to the AIDS-defining level of immune suppression. If a patient’s CD4 count is above that level and they are effectively treated with antiretroviral therapy with good viral suppression, elective procedures can usually proceed with standard perioperative care. If the count is at or below that threshold, the risk of opportunistic infections, such as Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia, and other complications is significantly higher, so surgeons may delay nonurgent procedures or implement additional prophylaxis and optimization strategies.

Other numeric options don’t represent the commonly accepted safety cutoff for elective surgery in HIV patients; the threshold surrounding AIDS-defining immunosuppression best explains the rationale behind proceeding with elective procedures.