Page 2191 - Saunders Comprehensive Review For NCLEX-RN

Tests Used to Evaluate Progression of Human
Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) Infection

Complete Blood Cell Count

▪ WBC count (normal to decreased)
▪ Lymphopenia (< 30% of the normal number of WBCs)
▪ Thrombocytopenia (decreased platelet count)

Lymphocyte Screen

+
+
▪ Reduced CD4 /CD8 T cell ratio
+
▪ CD4 (helper) lymphocytes decreased
+
▪ CD8 lymphocytes increased

Quantitative Immunoglobulin

▪ IgG level increased
▪ IgA level frequently increased

Chemistry Panel

▪ Lactate dehydrogenase level increased (all fractions)
▪ Serum albumin level decreased
▪ Total protein increased
▪ Cholesterol level decreased
▪ AST and ALT levels elevated

Anergy Panel

▪ Nonreactive (anergic) or poorly reactive to infectious agents or environmental
materials (e.g., pokeweed, phytohemagglutinin mitogens and antigens, mumps,
Candida)

Hepatitis B Surface Antigen Testing

▪ To detect the presence of hepatitis B

Blood Cultures

▪ To detect septicemia

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