HIV Infection

Question 1

Identify the ways HIV is transmitted.

Answer 1

Transmitted through blood and body fluids:
unprotected sex with infected person, sharing needles, infected blood products, breast milk, needle sticks

Question 2

Vertical transmission (from mother to fetus) occurs how often if the mother is not treated during pregnancy?

Answer 2

30% - 50%

Question 3

Describe universal precautions.

Answer 3

Protection from blood and body fluids is the goal of standard precautions. Standard precautions initiate barrier protection between caregiver and client through handwashing, using gloves, using gowns and masks, using eye protection as indicated, depending on activity of care and the likelihood of exposure, preventing needle sticks by not recapping needles.

Question 4

What are the side effects of amphotericin B?

Answer 4

Side effects can be quite severe.
Anorexia, chills, cramping, muscle and joint pain, and circulatory problems

Question 5

What does the CD4 T-cell count describe?

Answer 5

The number of infection-fighting lymphocytes the person has.

Question 6

Why does the CD4 T-cell count drop in HIV infections?

Answer 6

Due to the virus destroys CD4 T-cells as it invades them and replicates.

Question 7

Describe the ways a pediatric client might acquire HIV infection?

Answer 7

Infected blood products, through sexual abuse, and through breast milk