HIV & AIDS Nursing Lecture – Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary flashcards cover key HIV/AIDS concepts discussed in the lecture – epidemiology, pathophysiology, diagnostics, medications, prevention, and nursing care terms.

HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus)

A chronic viral infection that targets CD4 T-cells, weakening the immune system if untreated.

AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome)

The final stage of untreated HIV infection, diagnosed when CD4 T-cell count falls below 200 cells/mm³ and/or an AIDS-defining opportunistic illness or cancer is present.

CD4 T-Cell

A lymphocyte that HIV uses to replicate; its count is a key marker of immune function and disease progression.

Viral Load

The amount of HIV RNA in the bloodstream; used to diagnose infection and monitor response to therapy—undetectable load = untransmittable virus.

Window Period

Time between HIV exposure and the appearance of detectable antibodies; patient can test negative yet be infectious.

Clinical Latency (Chronic HIV)

Asymptomatic or mildly symptomatic phase in which the virus is active but controlled; can last years with treatment.

Opportunistic Infection (OI)

An illness caused by organisms that take advantage of weakened immunity, e.g., candidiasis or pneumocystis pneumonia in AIDS.

Kaposi’s Sarcoma

AIDS-defining cancer presenting as purple skin or mucosal lesions caused by HHV-8 infection.

AIDS Wasting Syndrome

Unintentional weight loss >10 % with chronic diarrhea or fever due to advanced HIV disease.

Antiretroviral Therapy (ART)

Combination drug treatment ("cocktail") that suppresses HIV replication by targeting multiple steps in the viral life cycle.

Protease Inhibitor (PI)

ART drug class that blocks the protease enzyme, preventing maturation of new HIV particles.

Fusion Inhibitor

ART class that prevents HIV from fusing with the CD4 cell membrane (Step 2 blockade).

Integrase Inhibitor

ART class that blocks the integrase enzyme, stopping insertion of viral DNA into host genome.

NNRTI (Non-Nucleoside Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitor)

ART class that binds reverse transcriptase and halts viral RNA-to-DNA conversion.

NRTI (Nucleoside Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitor)

ART class that mimics nucleosides, causing premature DNA chain termination during reverse transcription.

AZT (Zidovudine)

First widely used NRTI; given to pregnant women and neonates to reduce perinatal HIV transmission.

PrEP (Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis)

Daily antiretroviral medication (e.g., Truvada, Descovy) taken by HIV-negative individuals at high risk to prevent infection (≈99 % effective with condoms).

PEP (Post-Exposure Prophylaxis)

28-day antiretroviral regimen started within hours after potential HIV exposure (e.g., needlestick, assault).

Truvada

Fixed-dose PrEP/ART tablet containing tenofovir disoproxil fumarate + emtricitabine.

Descovy

Fixed-dose PrEP/ART tablet containing tenofovir alafenamide + emtricitabine; alternative to Truvada.

ELISA (Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay)

Initial screening test that detects HIV antibodies; positive results require confirmation.

Western Blot

Confirmatory test identifying specific HIV antibodies after a positive ELISA result.

Undetectable = Untransmittable (U=U)

Concept that people with sustained undetectable viral load cannot sexually transmit HIV.

Standard Precautions

Tier-one infection-control measures (hand hygiene, gloves, sharps safety) used with all patients to prevent disease spread.

Needle-less System

IV or medication-delivery device that eliminates needles to reduce occupational exposures.

Autologous Blood Transfusion

Patient donates and receives their own blood for elective surgery, eliminating transfusion-related HIV risk.

Post-Test Counseling

Confidential session in which trained personnel explain HIV test results, risk-reduction, and partner notification requirements.

Partner Notification

Public-health process of informing sexual or needle-sharing partners of potential HIV exposure; conducted confidentially by trained staff.

Fusion (Step 2 of HIV Life Cycle)

Process where HIV envelope merges with the CD4 cell membrane, allowing viral entry; target of fusion inhibitors.