HIV transmission occurs through specific body fluids: sexual contact, mother to baby, organ/tissue transplant.
NOT transmitted through saliva, tears, sweat, or hugs.
Prevent transmission with safe sex practices (condoms, PrEP, STI screening), avoid sharing needles/personal items, adherence to ART, and covering open wounds.
Hospice Care
Hospice focuses on pain and symptom management, emotional and spiritual care, and family support.
Medication Considerations
Important to know medication history for potential drug interactions, including OTCs, herbal supplements, seizure meds, statins, birth control, antibiotics, and warfarin.
Nutritional Needs
Diet should be high in calories and protein to combat wasting and muscle loss; maintain hydration.
Nurse's Role After Exposure
Immediately wash the site, report the incident, document it, and initiate post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP).
CD4 Levels & AIDS Diagnosis
Normal CD4: 500-1500.
Stage 1: >=500.
Stage 2: 200-499.
Stage 3/AIDS: <200 or AIDS-defining illness.
Common opportunistic infections include PCP pneumonia and candidiasis (leading to nutritional deficits).
Viral Load & Infection Risk
Higher viral load = higher risk of infection.
HIV vs. AIDS
HIV: Virus; can live with it for years.
AIDS: Final stage, often leads to death.
HIV is found in: blood, semen, vaginal secretions, rectal fluids, and breast milk.
ART Importance
Maintaining ART is crucial, even with an undetectable viral load.
ART is lifelong therapy; stopping can compromise the immune system and overall health.
Adverse Effects
Steven-Johnson's Syndrome is a severe potential side effect, especially with antibiotics for PCP (rashes, flu-like symptoms).
Opportunistic Cancers
Human herpes virus 8 (HHV-8) can cause opportunistic cancers.
Tuberculosis
Tuberculosis requires airborne precautions: private, negative-pressure room; N95 mask for staff; surgical mask for patient.
Nystatin Use
(Information on proper use of nystatin medication is missing from the provided text.)
Immunocompromised Patients
Immunocompromised patients should avoid fresh flowers and raw fruits/veggies due to infection risk.
ART Types: NRTIs & NNRTIs
NRTIs (e.g., Zidovudine (AZT), tenofovir (TDF), Abacavir (ABC)): Stop HIV reproduction by attaching to reverse transcriptase.
Take at the same time each day.
NNRTIs (e.g., Efavirenz (EF) and Nevirapine): Bind to protein, changing its shape and inhibiting reverse transcriptase.
Monitor for rash, liver toxicity (light-colored stools, elevated enzymes), and neuropsychiatric symptoms (confusion, suicidal ideation).
Amphotericin B
Monitor for elevated BUN and creatinine, low potassium and magnesium, decreased urine output, edema, and weakness, as it can be toxic to the kidneys.