Human Immunodeficiency Virus / Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome Lecture Notes

This is a Medical Surgical Nursing lecture note on AIDS/HIV in outlined format. Information and concepts are compressed to provide a quick review of the topic. Some information are so compressed that some concepts are not expounded in detail. If it is your first time to meet such information please refer to your textbook for further explanation of the concept. This review material requires a student to have a prior knowledge and good foundation of the subject matter for this only emphasizes important/ key information deemed important in understanding concepts in Pathophysiology and Medical Surgical Nursing.

Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS)

•  AIDS is a viral disease caused by human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), which destroys T cells, thereby increasing susceptibility to infection and malignancy
•  The syndrome is manifested clinically by opportunistic infection and unusual neoplasms.
• AIDS is considered a chronic illness.
• The disease has a long incubation period, sometimes 10 years or longer.
• Manifestations may not appear until late in the infection.

High-risk groups
Heterosexual or homosexual contact with high-risk individuals
Intravenous drug abusers
Persons receiving blood products
Health care workers
Babies born to infected mothers

Assessment
Malaise, fever, anorexia, weight loss, influenza-like symptoms
Lymphadenopathy for at least 3 months
Leukopenia
Diarrhea
Fatigue
Night sweats
Presence of opportunistic infections
Protozoal infections (Pneumocystis jiroveci pneumonia, major source of mortality)
Neoplasms (Kaposi's sarcoma, purplish-red lesions of internal organs and skin, B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, cervical cancer)
Fungal infections (candidiasis, histoplasmosis)
Viral infections (cytomegalovirus, herpes simplex)
Bacterial infections

Interventions
1. Provide respiratory support.
2. Administer oxygen and respiratory treatments as prescribed.
3. Provide psychosocial support as needed.
4. Maintain fluid and electrolyte balance.
5. Monitor for signs of infection.
6. Prevent the spread of infection.
7. Initiate standard precautions.
8. Provide comfort as necessary.
9. Provide meticulous skin care.
10. Provide adequate nutritional support as prescribed.

"Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts"