The nurse has just completed a continuing education lecture regarding the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).
Which of the following statements by the nurse indicate correct understanding? Select all that apply.
The nurse has just completed a continuing education lecture regarding the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).
Which of the following statements by the nurse indicate correct understanding? Select all that apply.
Statistics
Subject/Lesson
Subject
Adult Health
Lesson
Infectious Disease
Client Need
Test Plan
Physiological Adaptation
Related Topic
Illness Management
Item Type
Item Type
Knowledge/Comprehension
Explanation
Choice C is correct. PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) is helpful to those at risk for HIV to reduce infections. PrEP is highly effective in protecting a person from getting HIV from sex or injection drug use if taken as prescribed before the risky event.
Choice D is correct. Combined antiretroviral therapy (cART) is the drug regimen indicated for HIV and AIDS. Maternal adherence to cART therapy may significantly reduce the risk of transmitting the disease to the fetus.
Choice A is incorrect. Surfaces contaminated with HIV/AIDS virus should be disinfected with a bleach product, not soap and hot water.
Choice B is incorrect. The goal of cART is to increase the client’s CD4 & CD8 counts and to decrease the viral load.
Choice E is incorrect. HIV/AIDS is spread through contaminated needles, unprotected intercourse, and mother-to-child transmission (pregnancy, labor, delivery, and breastfeeding), not through contaminated water.
Additional Info
✓ Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a retrovirus that may lead to Acquire Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) if untreated
✓ Modes of transmitting HIV include -
• Sexual: genital, anal, or oral (low risk) sexual contact with exposure of mucous membranes to infected semen or vaginal secretions
• Parenteral: sharing of needles ("sharps”) or equipment contaminated with infected blood or receiving contaminated blood products
• Perinatal: from the placenta, from contact with maternal blood and body fluids during birth, or from breast milk from an infected mother to child. Pregnancy is a risk factor for HIV as the pregnant individual has engaged in unprotected copulation. HIV testing is routinely done in the third trimester
✓ HIV is not transmitted by
- Casual contact in the home, school, or workplace
- Sharing household utensils, towels, linens, and toilet facilities
- Mosquitos or other insects do not spread HIV
✓ HIV and AIDS treatment goals include increasing the CD4 count and reducing the viral load (VL) to undetectable
✓ PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) is prescribed to clients with risk factors of contracting HIV
