NUR 265 Exam 1 Medical-
Surgical Nursing Care Galen
2026/2027 – Questions and
Answers | 100% Verified |
Detailed Rationales – Pass
Guaranteed – Already Graded
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, Unit 9
• HIV/AIDS
o Virus binds to CD4 receptor sites on cells
o HIV genetic material enters cells and then replicates when
with cell replicates
o Retrovirus
▪ Any of a group of RNA viruses which insert a DNA copy of
their genome into the host cell to replicate
▪ Attacks CD4 T Cell “helper T cell” which are important in
the immune system
o Healthy adult has at least 800 to 1000 CD4 T cells per cubic mm of
blood
o AIDS diagnosis = less than 200 CD4 T cells
▪ Immune system is made weaker by removing CD4 T
cells from circulation
▪ Overwhelms immune system, gradually CD4 T cells decrease
and viral load increases
• Virus particles per mL
o Transmission
▪ Anal = highest risk
▪ Women higher risk due to larger mucosal surface area of
vagina
▪ Non-transmission routes
• NOT spread by casual contact (utensils, towels, toilets,
mosquitoes, intact skin exposure)
o Diagnosis
▪ Antibody test
• ELISA
o Detects the HIV antibody; checks for certain
proteins that the body makes in response to HIV
o If the blood contains antibodies to HIV, it will bind
with the antigen and cause the contents to
change color
• Western Blot Analysis
o Separates the blood proteins and detects the
specific proteins (HIV antibodies) that indicate
an HIV infection
o Used to CONFIRM a positive ELISA, and the combined
tests are 99.9% accurate
• Immunoassay screening
o Can detect HIV earlier than antibody screening
tests
o Checks for HIV antigen, a protein called p24
that’s part of the virus that shows up 2-4 weeks
, after infection
o Also checks for AHIV antibodies
o Rapid test can provide results in 20 minutes
▪ Viral load
• Measures HIV RNA copies/mL blood
, • The higher the viral load the greater risk for transmission
o Stages
▪ Stage 1 (Acute)
• Confirmed HIV and CD4 count over 500
▪ Stage 2 (Chronic)
• Confirmed HIV and CD4 count 200-499
▪ Stage 3 (AIDS)
• Confirmed HIV, CD4 count less than 200 and has a
documented
AIDS defining illness (opportunistic infections)
o Manifestations
▪ Fever
▪ Night sweats
▪ Chills
▪ Headache
▪ Muscle aches
▪ Rash
▪ Sore throat
o Treatment
▪ Antiretroviral meds
• Reducing viral load significantly reduces the risk of
transmission
• Side effects
o Appetite loss
o Nausea and vomiting
o Diarrhea
o Lipodystrophy
▪ Lose or gain fat in certain body areas
o Fatigue
o Elevated cholesterol and triglycerides
o Mood changes/depression
o Insomnia
o Pain
▪ Combination antiretroviral Therapy (cART)
• Gold standard
• Uses multiple drug classes
o Suppresses viral replication, improves CD4+
counts, slows disease progression
o Strict adherence is essential for effectiveness
and to prevent resistance
o Resume dose as soon as possible if one is missed
o Avoid ongoing missed/delayed doses
o Opportunistic infections
Surgical Nursing Care Galen
2026/2027 – Questions and
Answers | 100% Verified |
Detailed Rationales – Pass
Guaranteed – Already Graded
A+ | Instant Download pdf
, Unit 9
• HIV/AIDS
o Virus binds to CD4 receptor sites on cells
o HIV genetic material enters cells and then replicates when
with cell replicates
o Retrovirus
▪ Any of a group of RNA viruses which insert a DNA copy of
their genome into the host cell to replicate
▪ Attacks CD4 T Cell “helper T cell” which are important in
the immune system
o Healthy adult has at least 800 to 1000 CD4 T cells per cubic mm of
blood
o AIDS diagnosis = less than 200 CD4 T cells
▪ Immune system is made weaker by removing CD4 T
cells from circulation
▪ Overwhelms immune system, gradually CD4 T cells decrease
and viral load increases
• Virus particles per mL
o Transmission
▪ Anal = highest risk
▪ Women higher risk due to larger mucosal surface area of
vagina
▪ Non-transmission routes
• NOT spread by casual contact (utensils, towels, toilets,
mosquitoes, intact skin exposure)
o Diagnosis
▪ Antibody test
• ELISA
o Detects the HIV antibody; checks for certain
proteins that the body makes in response to HIV
o If the blood contains antibodies to HIV, it will bind
with the antigen and cause the contents to
change color
• Western Blot Analysis
o Separates the blood proteins and detects the
specific proteins (HIV antibodies) that indicate
an HIV infection
o Used to CONFIRM a positive ELISA, and the combined
tests are 99.9% accurate
• Immunoassay screening
o Can detect HIV earlier than antibody screening
tests
o Checks for HIV antigen, a protein called p24
that’s part of the virus that shows up 2-4 weeks
, after infection
o Also checks for AHIV antibodies
o Rapid test can provide results in 20 minutes
▪ Viral load
• Measures HIV RNA copies/mL blood
, • The higher the viral load the greater risk for transmission
o Stages
▪ Stage 1 (Acute)
• Confirmed HIV and CD4 count over 500
▪ Stage 2 (Chronic)
• Confirmed HIV and CD4 count 200-499
▪ Stage 3 (AIDS)
• Confirmed HIV, CD4 count less than 200 and has a
documented
AIDS defining illness (opportunistic infections)
o Manifestations
▪ Fever
▪ Night sweats
▪ Chills
▪ Headache
▪ Muscle aches
▪ Rash
▪ Sore throat
o Treatment
▪ Antiretroviral meds
• Reducing viral load significantly reduces the risk of
transmission
• Side effects
o Appetite loss
o Nausea and vomiting
o Diarrhea
o Lipodystrophy
▪ Lose or gain fat in certain body areas
o Fatigue
o Elevated cholesterol and triglycerides
o Mood changes/depression
o Insomnia
o Pain
▪ Combination antiretroviral Therapy (cART)
• Gold standard
• Uses multiple drug classes
o Suppresses viral replication, improves CD4+
counts, slows disease progression
o Strict adherence is essential for effectiveness
and to prevent resistance
o Resume dose as soon as possible if one is missed
o Avoid ongoing missed/delayed doses
o Opportunistic infections
