HESI MED SURG STUDY GUIDE
HIV infection - Infection with human immunodeficiency virus; caused by a retrovirus, which is attracted
to CD4 T cells, lymphocytes, macrophages, and cells of the CNS; destruction of the CD4 T cells causes
depletion in the number of CD4 T cells and a loss of the body's ability to fight infection
Initial S&S of HIV infection - Acute infection that is quite similar to mononucleosis; occur within 3
weeks of first exposure to HIV then the person becomes asymptomatic
AIDS - Persons with specific, serious, opportunistic infections such as PCP, disseminated
cytomegalovirus, or Kaposi sarcoma
Laboratory testing for HIV - Positive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay; confirmation by the western
blot test
Polymerase chain reaction test (PCR) - Used to differentiate between HIV infection in the neonate and
antibodies the neonate receives from the mother
Seroconversion - Positive on these tests occurs usually within 6 weeks to 3 months but may take as long
as 12 months
P24 antigen - Prior to antibody-positive status this antigen assay will be positive (detects antigen of the
virus)
S&S of HIV - Extreme fatigue, loss of appetite, unexplained weight loss of more than 10 pounds in 2
months, swollen glands, leg weakness or pain, unexplained fever for more than a week, night sweats,
unexplained diarrhea, dry cough, white sports in mouth and throat, painful blisters, painless purple-blue
lesions on the skin, confusion, disorientation, recurrent vaginal infections that are resistant to treatment
HIV clients with TB - Require respiratory isolation. Only real risk to non-pregnant caregivers that is not
related to a break in standard precautions
Primary infection - Acute HIV infection or acute HIV syndrome; CD4 T cell counts at least 800
cells/mm3; flu-like symptoms, fever, malaise; mononucleosis-like illness, lymphadenopathy, fever,
malaise, rash
HIV asymptomatic (CDC category A) - CD4 T cell counts more than 500 cells/mm3; no clinical
problems, characterized by continuous viral replication; can last for many years (10+ years)
HIV symptomatic (CDC category B) - CD4 T cell counts between 200-499 cells/mm3; persistent
generalized lymphadenopathy, persistent fever, weight loss, diarrhea, peripheral neuropathy, herpes
zoster, candidiasis, cervical dysplasia, hairy leukoplakia, oral
AIDS (CDC category C) - CD4 T-cell counts less than 200 cells/mm3; occurs when a variety of bacteria,
parasites, or viruses overwhelm the body's immune system; once classified as category, the patient
remains classified as that category
Pneumocystis Carinii Pneumonia - Fever, dry cough, dyspnea at rest, chills; opportunistic infection of
HIV
Kaposi's Sarcoma - Purple-blue lesions on skin, often arms and legs; invasion of GI tract, lymphatic
system, lungs and brain; opportunistic infection of HIV
