Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (Aids)
- Definition: Immune system disorder occurring in response to exposure to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) or a similar human retrovirus.
- Pathophysiology: Failure of cell-mediated immunity results in serious infections and malignancies that exhaust the body’s natural defense mechanisms, resulting in inability to fight infection.
- Etiology: Transmitted by exposure to blood and body fluids of HIV-infected persons through sexual contact, sharing of needles, perinatal exposure of infants, and possibly splashing of body fluids into open lesions or mucous membranes.
- Manifestations: Fever; diarrhea; malaise; weight loss; lymphadenitis; opportunistic infections and malignancies; positive ELISA/Western blot tests; T4 (CD4) cell count
200/mm3; positive cultures for Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia; atypical viral, fungal, and protozoal infections.
- Med Tx: Multiple drug therapy regimens may slow progression of illness, but no cure exists. Supplemental nutrition, antibiotics, and chemotherapy as needed.
- Nsg Dx: Potential for infection, alteration in nutrition, potential fluid volume deficit R/T diarrhea, altered thought process and resultant potential for injury, numerous psychosocial diagnoses.
- Nsg Care: Implement strict infection control practices (universal precautions); monitor for side effects of all medications, I&O, daily weight and nutritional assessment; educate; make support agency referrals for patient and family as needed.
- Prognosis: Progressive deterioration with CD4 <100 mm3 and eventual death.