Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome Flashcards
What is the virus that causes AIDs?
Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)
How is HIV transmitted?
-Sexual intercourse
-Direct contact with infected blood or body fluids
Such as semen and breast milk.
What are symptoms of HIV?
Fever, weight loss, night sweats, diarrhea, fatigue
How is the presence of HIV confirmed?
Screening is done FIRST to see if the HIV antibodies are present the test is performed to identify the HIV antibodies.
What is the screening test?
Elisa
What is Elisa?
It is the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. A blood test that uses special enzymes that attach to blood.
What confirms the screening test?
HIV differentiation assay.
->Western Blot is no longer used.
How does HIV attack the body?
It attacks the immune system by destroying T-lymphocytes. The virus also rapidly self-replicates.
What is so important about T-lymphocytes?
T cells help the immune system to recognize and fight pathogens.
What is another name for T-lymphocytes
CD4 Cells
Why is the CD4 count important?
The lower the CD4 count, the more damage the virus has done to the body.
We want the CD4 to be high.
what is a normal CD4 count in a patient without HIV?
500-1500 in healthy adults.
what is the normal CD4 count in a patient with HIV?
Anything at or above 500 means the patient is in good health.
If the CD4 count is below 200, The HIV has progressed to AIDS.
If a patient’s CD4 count is below 200, the patient is at risk for what?
Opportunistic infections.
What is the nucleic acid test (NATs)
This is a test for the viral load of HIV in the blood.
List some opportunistic infections?
-Oral pharyngeal candida infection (mouth fungus)
-Kaposi’s sarcoma (skin cancer)
-Pneumocystis pneumonia
-Cytomegalovirus (blindness)
-Meningitis
What is the goal of HIV medications?
To interfere with the virus replicating inside of the patient.
The most important medication for HIV to know for the NCLEX is?
Zidovudine
What isolation precautions are used with HIV?
UNIVERSAL PRECAUTIONS
All blood should be suspected of HIV as patients do not have to tell anyone they have HIV. The nurse should treat blood or body fluid as if it is infected.
How do isolation precautions change with AIDS?
if the patient has a low CD4 count and is at risk for opportunistic infection: The patient should have a
-private room
-reverse isolation
-RN/PN should wear gloves, gown, goggles, mask when in direct contact with blood or body fluids.
What are teaching point for a parent who have a child with HIV?
Clean up body fluid/ blood with 10:1 water/ bleach ratio.
The child should get all immunizations, except lives vaccines such as: MMR, varicella, oral poliovirus,
-Feed child a high-calorie & protein diet.
-Feed child a high-calorie & Protein diet.
-Use gloves to change diapers.
Clinical Priorities
1)All suspected clients should be tested immediately.
2) The beginning of antiretroviral therapy should be started rapidly. This a majority priority.
3) Cognitive behavioral therapy, peer support, and medication compliance are necessary components of positive health care.
Clinical Priorities
1)All suspected clients should be tested immediately.
2) The beginning of antiretroviral therapy should be started rapidly. This a majority priority.
3) Cognitive behavioral therapy, peer support, and medication compliance are necessary components of positive health care.
