Page 682 - Saunders Comprehensive Review For NCLEX-RN

c. Postpartum: In the form of syrup to the
newborn 2 hours after birth and every
12 hours for 6 weeks; depending on
agency procedures, the newborn may
need to be placed in the newborn
intensive care unit (NICU) to begin
initial therapy.

B. Transmission

1. Sexual exposure to genital secretions of an infected
person
2. Parenteral exposure to infected blood and tissue
3. Perinatal exposure of an infant to infected maternal
secretions through birth or breast-feeding

C. Risks to the mother: A mother with HIV is managed as

high risk because she is vulnerable to infections.
D. Diagnosis
1. Tests used to determine the presence of antibodies to
HIV include enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay
(ELISA), Western blot, and immunofluorescence
assay (IFA).
2. A single reactive ELISA test by itself cannot be used to
diagnose HIV, and the test should be repeated with
the same blood sample; if the result is again reactive,
follow-up tests using Western blot or IFA should be
done.
3. A positive Western blot or IFA is considered
confirmatory for HIV.
4. A positive ELISA that fails to be confirmed by Western
blot or IFA should not be considered negative, and
repeat testing should be done in 3 to 6 months.

E. Assessment (see Chapter 62)

F. Interventions

1. Prenatal period
a. Institute measures to prevent
opportunistic infections.
b. Avoid procedures that increase the risk
of perinatal transmission, such as
amniocentesis and fetal scalp
sampling.
2. Intrapartum period
a. If the fetus has not been exposed to HIV
in utero, the highest risk exists during
delivery through the birth canal.

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