Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS)

Paper Summary:

This paper explains that nurses can very effectively contribute to the well-being and quality of life for people with AIDS. The author points out that, to be at risk for AIDS, the person first must be at risk for HIV infection or be HIV+. The paper stresses that individuals who have unprotected sex with multiple partners and any substance abusers especially injection drug users are at risk. The author relates that the symptoms of AIDS normally result from HIV infection but also can develop as a result of associated infections and the side effects of medication. The paper underscores that the assessment of the patient with AIDS must include all domains including psychological and spiritual aspects. The author concludes that, once the symptoms are identified, they can be effectively managed so that well-being, functional status and compliance with therapy is enhanced thus increasing the patient's chances for survival.

Table of Contents:
Introduction
Population at Risk
Causes
Signs and Symptoms
What Would You Assess?
Abnormal Results Indicating AIDS
Common Diagnostic Tests and Result Confirming Aids
Conclusion

From the Paper:

"The screening test for HIV is the HIV ELISA or enzyme linked immunosorbent assay test. This test comprises an antibody detection process assay that, if positive, must be repeated. The test will deliver false positive results under certain conditions as when the patient has had a recent vaccination or has other viral infections. When results are positive, the ELISA test is repeated and confirmed by using a Western Blot test. The HIV ELISA and Western Blot tests, when performed in combination, are marked by 99 percent sensitivity and specificity for detecting the HIV virus."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Beckett, M. & Barnam, A. (2003). Substance abuse and high-risk sex among people with HIV. AIDS and Behavior, 7 (2), 209-220.
• Smeltzer, S. & Bare, B. (1992). Medical-surgical nursing. Philadelphia, PA: Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins.
• Romanelli, F. (2005). The pharmacotherapy of the modern day epidemic infection with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). American Journal of Pharmaceutical Education, 69 (1-5), 525-534.
• Webb, A. & Norton, M. (2004). Clinical assessment of symptom-focused health-related quality of life in HIV/AIDS. Journal of Association of Nurses in AIDS Care, 15 (2), 67-81.
• Wong, D., S. Perry & Hockenberry, M. (2002). Maternal child nursing care. St. Louis: Mosby.

More papers on Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS):

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• Term Paper # 150166 : "Epidemiology of AIDS"
• Term Paper # 29936 : "AIDS/ HIV"

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