HIV Infection

Question 1

Identify the ways HIV is transmitted.

Answer 1

HIV is transmitted through blood and body fluids-e.g., unprotected sexual contact with an infected person, sharing needles with drug-abusing persons, infected blood products (rare), breast milk (mother-to-fetus transmission), and breaks in universal precautions (needle sticks or similar occurrences).

Question 2

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

Answer 2

Vertical transmission occurs 30% to 50% of the time.

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 of amphotericin B can be quite severe; they include anorexia, chills, cramping, muscle and joint pain, and circulatory problems.

Question 5

What does the CD4 T-cell count describe?

Answer 5

CD4 T-cell count describes the number of infection-fighting lymphocytes the person has.

Question 6

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

Answer 6

CD4 T-cell count drops because 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

Pediatric acquisition may occur through infected blood products, through sexual abuse, and through breast milk.