HIV Medications

Question 0

HAART

Answer 0

Highly active antiretroviral therapy:

• Uses a minimum of 3 antiretroviral agents:
  1. Retrovir, AZT
  2. A NRTI: Didanosine
  3. Protease Inhibitor: Indinavir

Question 1

Pharmacology

-Main Focus of Treatment

Answer 1

1. Suppress the infection itself, decreasing symptoms & increasing life
2. Provide prophylaxis of opportunistic infections
3. Stimulate hematopoietic response
4. Treat opportunistic infections & malignancies

Question 2

HIV

-How to Measure effectiveness of treatment

Answer 2

1. Viral load and CD4 counts

2. Reduction of viral load w/ preservation of CD4 amount above 350 is a positive sign

Question 3

HIV

-When to Start Treatment

Answer 3

1. Treatment is recommended when CD4 count falls bellow 200

2. Clients with severe disease are treated regardless of CD4 levels

Question 4

HAART

-Education

Answer 4

1. HAART does not eradicate HIV infection
2. It is very expensive
3. The meds cause major side effects

Question 5

HAART

-Side Effects (Especially in Protease Inhibitors)

Answer 5

1. Increased fat deposition in the midsection, btreasts, and neck
2. Atrophy in the face, buttocks, and extremities
3. Increase LDL and triglycerides
4. Insulin resistance
5. Increase risk for CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE & DIABETES

Question 6

NRTI’s

-AZT TEST

Answer 6

1. Nucleoside Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors
   - First antiretroviral agent approved for use with HIV
   - FIRST LINE DRUG
   - Zidovudine (AZT)** is given when clients CD4 count is <500

Question 7

AZT

-Nursing Responsibilities

Answer 7

1. Administered PO
2. Assess CD4 count for to assess effectiveness of drug
3. Give to client who has CD4 <500, or is symptomatic, or exposed health care worker.

Question 8

AZT

-Side Effects

Answer 8

1. Nausea & headache
2. Assess for neutropenia (treated with epoetin alfa)
3. Assess CBC w/ differential & phosphokinase

Question 9

Didanoside (DDI)

-Nursing Responsibilities

Answer 9

1. Given in combination with AZT
2. Tablets are chewed or dissolved in 1 oz of Room temp water
3. Take Med on empty stomach (1hr before or 2 hrs after meals)
4. No alcohol

Question 10

Protease Inhibitors

-Side Effects

Answer 10

1. PI’s have the most serious side effects
2. Serious metabolic derangements include:
   - increase LDL & triglycerides
   - Insulin resistance & diabetes
   - Lipodystrophy

Question 11

Medications

-Nursing Responsibilities

Answer 11

1. MEDICATION COMPLIANCE
2. Do not use St. John’s wart or garlic with AZT
3. Do not use supplements w/out consulting HCP
4. Educate on dose, route..etc
5. Side effects & what to report to HCP

Question 12

CD4 <500

Answer 12

1. Pt Has SOB, fatigue, slight fever & Oral thrus

Question 13

Treatment of HIV Pt’s w/ Herpes?

Answer 13

1. Acyclovir