Acquired Immunideficiency Syndrome (AIDS)

Question 1

What is the virus that causes AIDS?

Answer 1

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)

Question 2

How is HIV transmitted?

Answer 2

Sexual Intercourse
Direct Contact with infected blood/body fluids (body fluids- semen, breast milk)
HIV mother gives to baby

Question 3

What are symptoms of HIV?

Answer 3

Fever, weight loss, night sweats, diarrhea, fatigue

Question 4

How is the presence of HIV confirmed?

Answer 4

Screening is done first to see if HIV antibodies are present. The test is performed to specifically identify the HIV antibodies.

Question 5

What is the screening test?

Answer 5

ELISA

Question 6

What confirms the screening test?

Answer 6

Western Blot

Question 7

How does HIV attack the body?

Answer 7

It attacks the immune system by destroying T-lymphocytes. The virus also rapidly self- replicates

Question 8

What is so important about T-lymphocytes?

Answer 8

T cells help immune system +recognize and fight pathogens

Question 9

What is another name for T-lymphocytes?

Answer 9

CD4 cells

Question 10

Why is the CD4 count so important?

Answer 10

The lower CD4 count, the more damage the virus has done to the body

Question 11

What is the normal CD4 count?

Answer 11

700-1000

Question 12

What is the normal CD4 count in a client with HIV?

Answer 12

Anything at or above 500, client is considered at good health. If below 500, HIV has progressed to AIDS.

Question 13

If a clients CD4 count is below 200, client is at risk for what?

Answer 13

Opportunistic infections

Question 14

List some opportunistic infections.

Answer 14

• Oral pharyngeal canididal infection (mouth fungus)
• Kaposi’s sarcoma (skin cancer)
• Pneumocystis pneumonia
• Cytomegalovirus (blindness)
• Meningitis

Question 15

What is the goal of HIV medications?

Answer 15

To interfere with the virus replicating

Question 16

The most important medication to know is____?

Answer 16

Zidovudine (AZT, Retrovir)

Question 17

Which isolation precautions are used with HIV?

Answer 17

Universal precautions

Patients do not have to tell you they have HIV, treat everyone as if they are INFECTED

Question 18

How do precautions change with AIDS?

Answer 18

If the client has a low CD4 count and is at risk for opportunistic infection:
Implement
-Private room
-Reverse isolation
RN wears gown, goggles, mask when in direct contact with blood or body fluids.

Question 19

What are teaching points for parents who have a child with HIV?

Answer 19

Clean up body fluids/blood with 10:1 water /bleach ratio

• Get all immunizations except MMR, varicella, and oral poliovirus. These are live immunizations.
• High-calorie, high-protein diet
• Gloves when changing diapers