HIV

Question 1

HIV disease

Answer 1

• caused by human immunodeficiency virus

* several stages ranging from acute infection to death

Question 2

HIV-infected individual who does not receive treatment

Answer 2

infection to death is nearly 12 years

Question 3

HIV

Answer 3

• estimated 2.6 million people are newly infected with HIV yearly
• decrease in number of deaths to 1.8 million
• increase in number of people living with HIV
• still no vaccine to prevent it

Question 4

transmission

Answer 4

• contact with blood, semen, vaginal secretions, breast milk
• not spread through casual contact
• unprotected sex with HIV-infected partner is most common mode-presence of genital sores or other sexually transmitted diseases increases risk
• IV drug use/sharing drug-using paraphernalia is highly risky

Question 5

risk factors for transmission in children/teens

Answer 5

• perinatal transmission
• exposure to blood products or body fluids that contain HIV
• sexual abuse
• risky behaviors
• lack of awareness

Question 6

the immune system and HIV

Answer 6

• the immune system protects the body by recognizing and destroying > bacteria, viruses, and parasites; abnormal cells; foreign objects
• when infected with HIV > immune system functions are compromised; individual more susceptible to infections
• HIV replication > chronic, persistent destruction of infection-fighting cells, the CD4+ cells

Question 7

HIV progression

Answer 7

• viral transmission, seroconversion, acute viral infection
• asymptomatic chronic infection
• symptomatic chronic infection
• acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS)

Question 8

clinical manifestations

Answer 8

fever
cough
weakness
nausea/vomiting
diarrhea
dysphagia
forgetfulness
skin lesions
s.o.b
headache
vision changes
pain
night sweats
lymphadenopathy

Question 9

diagnosis

Answer 9

• screening tests assess for antibodies to the HIV virus
• rapid tests do not require a laboratory to perform
• ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) screening test
• negative screening does not require confirmation > should repeat in 3 to 6 months if exposure may have occurred around time of original text
• a positive screening test followed by a confirmatory Western Blot is used to diagnosis HIV in all individuals over the age of 12 months
• HIV PCR is used to detect HIV in infants born to HIV+ mothers because maternal antibodies transfer across the placenta

Question 10

HIV drug therapy

Answer 10

• prophylaxis to reduce the risk of opportunistic infections before initiating antiretroviral therapy in HIV+ individual with CD4+ count < 200 cells > Bactrim
• antiretroviral therapy (ART)/highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART)
• immunizations: influenza, pneumonia, TDAP > live virus vaccines are generally contraindicated in HIV+ individuals and their household members

Question 11

main goals of drug therapy

Answer 11

• decrease viral load
• maintain/increase CD4 counts
• prevent HIV-related symptoms and opportunistic diseases
• delay disease progression
• prevent HIV transmission

Question 12

nursing care

Answer 12

• nursing actions: utilize universal precautions consistently; administer ART as prescribed and on time; provide nutritionally dense foods and small, frequent meals; provide emotional support; refer for social services evaluation
• education: avoidance of high-risk behaviors that increase the risk of transmission; stress adherence to treatment regimen; follow up testing on CD4+ and HIV viral load blood levels; implement infection control precautions at home;; s/s to report to health care provider urgently