Week 4: HIV/AIDS Flashcards
(34 cards)
When does an individual with HIV experience viremia post-infection?
Pt experiences viremia in the blood for 2-3 weeks
Transmission is more likely when load is high
What is the importance of CD4-cell counts?
-CD4 cell counts are T lymphocytes and play role in immune system function.
-CD4 levels indicate the status of the immune system of someone with HIV and the prognosis, disease progression and response to treatment
What does HIV viral load determine?
Determines amount of virus in the blood of an infected person
High viral load indicates that HIV is progressing
load is used to determine progression, response to treatment and indication for treatment
What is Pneumocystis jiroveci pneumonia
a fungus normally found in human lungs that rarely causes disease to healthy individuals but causes serious opportunistic infection for those with decreased immune function (CD4 <200 cells/mL)
S&S- dry cough, night sweats, sudden fever, dyspnea, weightloss
What is Kaposi Sarcoma
KS is a type of cancer found in persons with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS).
Purple cutaneous lesions frequently found on the skin but can spread to the gastrointestinal (GI) system and lungs, where it can be life threatening.
What CD4 threshold greatly increases risk for opportunistic infection?
What indicates that an individual has progressed from HIV to AIDs?
- CD4 <200/mL
- Decreasing CD4, increasing viral load and opportunistic infections
What is the CD4 count in a person within the early chronic stage of HIV?
CD4 T cell count remains above 500/ml
Viral load remains low
-Body still has sufficient immune response to fight pathogens
The early chronic stage of HIV is often referred to as the “asymptomatic disease”, but what non specific symptoms may occur?
Fatigue, headache, low-grade fever, night sweats
What CD4 counts and manifestations indicate progression to intermediate chronic infection?
-CD4 drops below 500cells/mL
-Viral load rises
-S&S that occurred earlier tend to become worse
Genotype and Phenotype tests can be used to assess for resistance to antiretroviral therapy
True or False?
Why might an individual develop resistance to ART?
True
Person might become resistant due to HIV mutation, impaired medication adherence (pt must ensure to take medication daily exactly as prescribed), rapid HIV replication increases chance of mutation
What are common adverse effects associated with ART?
-High cholesterol and triglycerides, hyperglycaemia, osteoporosis, cardiomyopathy, bone marrow suppression, diarrhea, rashes, fat redistribution (build up in abd and neck)
A widely used laboratory test that measures HIV-RNA levels and tracks the body’s response to HIV infection is the:
A. CD4/CD8 ratio.
B. EIA test.
C. Viral load test.
D. Western blot.
Answer: C. Viral load test.
C: Viral load test measures plasma RNA levels.
A: CD4/CD8 ratio measures the number of CD4 T cells in the body.
B: EIA test identifies antibodies directed specifically against HIV.
D: Western blot is used to confirm seropositivity when the EIA result is positive
The most debilitating gastrointestinal condition found in up to 90% of all AIDS patients is:
A. Anorexia.
B. Chronic diarrhea.
C. Nausea.
D. Vomiting.
Answer: B. Chronic diarrhea.
B: Chronic diarrhea occurs in up to 90% of patients with AIDS.
A: Anorexia is not as incapacitating as chronic diarrhea.
C: Nausea is not as incapacitating as chronic diarrhea.
D: Vomiting is not as incapacitating as chronic diarrhea
A diagnosis of wasting syndrome can be initially made when involuntary weight loss exceeds what percentage of baseline body weight?
A. 10%
B. 15%
C. 20%
D. 25%
A: Wasting syndrome occurs when there is profound involuntary weight loss exceeding 10% of the baseline body weight
Define cryptococcal meningitis, an opportunistic infection in AIDS
What are the S&S?
-Cryptococcal meningitis is a fungal infection caused by Cryptococcus neoformans, which is often found in bird droppings. If breathed in, the spores can multiply and spread from the lungs to the membranes that cover the brain or spinal cord, causing meningitis.
-S&S are headache and fever
What is a major cause of AIDs dementia complex?
HIV/AIDs encephalopathy
Leads to progressive behavioural, cognitive and motor decline. Directly related to HIV infection
Pt with AIDs presents with fever, weight loss of 6lbs, dark coloured urine, RUQ and pain and jaundiced sclera.
What opportunistic infection does the nurse suspect?
Hepatitis
Pt presents with 13% weight loss, diarrhea x 4days, weakness x1 week and a temperature of 38.5C
What complication of AIDs does the nurse suspect?
Wasting Syndrome
Why does the nurse perform a oropharyngeal assessment on the pt with AIDs?
Pts with AIDs are at higher risk for infections with oral manifestations such as
Oropharyngeal candidiasis (thrush)
and Oral hairy leukoplakia
A patient who has tested positive for the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) arrives at the clinic with a report of fever, nonproductive cough, and fatigue. The patient’s CD4 count is 184 cells/mcL. How should the healthcare provider interpret these findings?
1. The pt is now in the latent stages of the HIV infection
2. The pt is diagnosed with AIDs
3. This is an expected finding because the patient has HIV
4. These findings provide evidence that the pt has seroconverted
2.
The healthcare provider is teaching a patient who has been diagnosed with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) about the need for multi-drug therapy. Which of the following best explains the rationale for using more than one antiretroviral medication to treat AIDS?
1. This is intended to keep the virus from developing resistance
2. You will experience less side effects when you take a combination of medications
3. You will not be able to transmit the disease while taking this combination of medications
4. This combination will eliminate the risk of developing AIDs
1.
A patient who is human immunodeficiency positive (HIV) positive is receiving a nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NRTI). Which of these clinical findings would indicate the patient is experiencing an adverse effect of this medication?
1. Metabolic acidosis
2. Weight gain
3. Decreased hemoglobin
4. Increased blood glucose
3.
The healthcare provider is assessing the skin of a patient who is at risk for becoming infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Which of the following findings requires immediate follow-up by the healthcare provider?
1. Publish-red lesions
2. Numerous moles on the chest and back
3. Ecchymosis on the legs
4. Patches of dry, flaky skin
1.
The healthcare provider is teaching a patient who has a diagnosis of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) about food safety. Which of the following foods should the patient avoid to prevent foodborne illnesses?
1. Green salad
2. Mozzarella cheese
3. Deli meats
4. Boiled eggs
3.
