Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome

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 or body fluids
Such as semen and breast milk.

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 the HIV antibodies are present the test is performed to identify the HIV antibodies.

Question 5

What is the screening test?

Answer 5

Elisa

Question 6

What is Elisa?

Answer 6

It is the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. A blood test that uses special enzymes that attach to blood.

Question 7

What confirms the screening test?

Answer 7

HIV differentiation assay.
->Western Blot is no longer used.

Question 8

How does HIV attack the body?

Answer 8

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

Question 9

What is so important about T-lymphocytes?

Answer 9

T cells help the immune system to recognize and fight pathogens.

Question 10

What is another name for T-lymphocytes

Answer 10

CD4 Cells

Question 11

Why is the CD4 count important?

Answer 11

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

We want the CD4 to be high.

Question 12

what is a normal CD4 count in a patient without HIV?

Answer 12

500-1500 in healthy adults.

Question 13

what is the normal CD4 count in a patient with HIV?

Answer 13

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.

Question 14

If a patient’s CD4 count is below 200, the patient is at risk for what?

Answer 14

Opportunistic infections.

Question 15

What is the nucleic acid test (NATs)

Answer 15

This is a test for the viral load of HIV in the blood.

Question 16

List some opportunistic infections?

Answer 16

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

Question 17

What is the goal of HIV medications?

Answer 17

To interfere with the virus replicating inside of the patient.

Question 18

The most important medication for HIV to know for the NCLEX is?

Answer 18

Zidovudine

Question 19

What isolation precautions are used with HIV?

Answer 19

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.

Question 20

How do isolation precautions change with AIDS?

Answer 20

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.

Question 21

What are teaching point for a parent who have a child with HIV?

Answer 21

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.

Question 22

Clinical Priorities

Answer 22

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.

Question 23

Clinical Priorities

Answer 23

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.