Florida Nurse CE Renewal Package - Meets All Renewal Requirements

Upon completion of this course, the learner will be able to:

-Recognize pertinent components of each of the topics as they relate to nursing practice.

This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the policies of FastCEforless.com.

Fast CE For Less and its authors have no disclosures. There is no commercial support.

Introduction

Approximately 1.1 million people in the United States have human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and approximately 15% of them do not know that they have the virus. It is estimated that approximately 40% of new HIV infections are transmitted by persons who are unaware that they have the disease.¹ Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a virus that is spread through blood and body fluids, such as breast milk, semen, and vaginal fluids. The virus attacks the body’s immune system, specifically the CD4 cells. These cells are often called CD4+ T cells and are white blood cells that fight infection. The average range for CD4 count in a normal, healthy immune system is 500-1600 cells/millimeter (cells/mm³) of blood. When HIV enters and infects a CD4 cell, it begins to replicate, producing thousands of copies of the virus. The copies then enter and infect other CD4 cells and continue to replicate themselves and enter and infect other CD4 cells. The infected CD4 cells do not work appropriately and die early. The loss of CD4 cells results in a weakened immune system, making it harder for the body to remain healthy. Once the CD4 count falls below 200 cells/mm³, one is considered to have acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS)³. AIDS is the most advanced form of infection caused by HIV, where the body has difficulty fighting infections and cancers. It can take 2-10 years, or longer for one diagnosed with HIV to develop AIDS when he or she does not take any antiretroviral medications. Most often, one with HIV will not develop AIDS if he or she begins antiretroviral medications soon after becoming infected. There is currently no cure for HIV, however if persons with HIV take their antiretroviral medications as prescribed, the amount of HIV in their blood (viral load) can become undetectable. Having undetectable levels of HIV will increase one’s life span, and one will effectively have no risk in transferring HIV to someone else through sexual contact. With correct medication adherence, one with HIV can live nearly if one who is not infected with HIV.