You don't need to mug up everything, you just need to know how tokeep your patient safe. We’re stripping away the textbook fluff to giveyou the "need-to-know" on CD4 counts, important medications, andprecautions so you can walk into that testing center with totalconfidence.
1. The Numbers You Must Memorize
The NCLEX loves testing about HIV and AIDS.
● Normal CD4 Count: 500–1,200 cells/mm³.
● AIDS Diagnosis: A CD4 count < 200 cells/mm³ OR the presence of an opportunistic infection (like Kaposi Sarcoma or PCP).
● Viral Load: The goal is "Undetectable." If the viral load is rising, the patient is likely non-compliant with their meds.
2. Infection Control (Universal vs. Special exceptions)
This is a classic "trap" area.
● Standard Precautions: Use these for HIV/AIDS. You don't need a gown and mask just to talk to them or take vitals. You only need PPE if
you expect contact with blood and body fluids.
● The Exception: If the patient has an opportunistic infection like Tuberculosis (Airborne) or Disseminated Herpes Zoster (Airborne/Contact), you must follow those specific precautions instead.
● Accidental Exposure: If you get a needlestick, the priority action is:
1. Wash the area with soap and water.
2. Report it to your incharge.
3. Start PEP (Post-Exposure Prophylaxis) within 72 hours (ideally within 2 hours).
3. Pharmacology: Antiretroviral Therapy (ART)
You don't need to know every drug, but you must know the patient education:
● Strict Adherence: This is the #1 priority. Missing even a few doses can lead to drug resistance.
● Common Side Effects: Nausea, diarrhea, and lipodystrophy (weird fat redistribution).
● Zidovudine (AZT): Frequently tested for its use in preventing mother-to-child transmission during pregnancy.
4. Opportunistic Infections (The "Red Flags")
NCLEX will describe symptoms; you must recognize the emergency:
● Pneumocystis jirovecii Pneumonia (PCP): Look for dry cough, dyspnea, and hypoxemia.
● Kaposi Sarcoma: Look for purplish-brown skin lesions. Nursing care is mostly about skin integrity and body image.
● AIDS Dementia Complex: Safety is the priority here. Use simple instructions and a consistent routine.
● Wasting Syndrome: Defined as >10% involuntary weight loss. Focus on high-calorie, high-protein diets and small, frequent meals.
NCLEX "Critical Thinking" Tip If an NCLEX question asks which HIV patient to see first, always pick the one with a new fever. In an immunocompromised patient, a low-grade fever (even 100.0°F / 37.8°C) can indicate a life-threatening infection.
Conclusion
So, this is how we learn exam-relevant points and apply them to questions and in our day-to-day nursing care using critical thinking, prioritizing and decision making skills. Level up in your nursing career with Tiju’s Academy. Contact today @ Tiju’s Academy for the best NCLEX - RN Coaching with structured syllabus.
