NCLEX RN Practice Question # 404
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ACQUIRED IMMUNODEFICIENCY SYNDROME (AIDS)
Description
- AIDS is a disorder caused by human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and characterized by generalized dysfunction of the immune system
- HIV infects CD4þ T cells; a gradual decrease in CD4þ T cell count occurs and this results in a progressive immunodeficiency; the risk for opportunistic infections is present.
- HIV is transmitted through blood, semen, vaginal secretions, and breast milk; the incubation period is months to years.
- Horizontal transmission occurs through intimate sexual contact or parenteral exposure to blood or body fluids that contain the virus.
- Vertical (perinatal) transmission occurs from an HIV-infected pregnant woman to her fetus
- The most common opportunistic infection that occurs in children infected with HIV is Pneumocystis jiroveci pneumonia (formerly known as Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia); P. jiroveci pneumonia most frequently occurs between the ages of 3 and 6 months, when HIV status may be indeterminate.
Assessment
- Candidal esophagitis
- Cryptosporidiosis
- Cytomegalovirus disease
- Herpes simplex disease
- Human immunodeficiency virus encephalopathy
- Lymphoid interstitial pneumonitis
- Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare infection
- Pneumocystis jiroveci pneumonia
- Pulmonary candidiasis
- Recurrent bacterial infections
- Wasting syndrome
Diagnostic tests:
- Before testing, counseling should be provided to parents; issues that should be addressed include the causes of HIV, reasons for testing, implications of positive test results, confidentiality issues, and beneficial effects of early intervention.