NUR 265 EXAM 4 - HIV AND CANCER
STUDY GUIDE NOTES ||UPDATED 2026
,
, lO M oARcPSD| 68366729
Exam 4 AMS Notes
HIV
• Transmission of HIV: retro virus transmitted by body fluids containing HIV or infected
CD4 lymphocytes
• How does it work? Binds to CD4 receptor sites (human cell-CD4, T cells-lymphocytes,
monocytes etc…)
• Once they bind: HIV genetic material enters the cell, HIV RNA uses reverse transcriptase
to transcribe into a single strand of human DNA, viral RNA doubles and enters the
nucleus becoming a permanent part of the cells genetic structure, using protease HIV
RNA is able to replicate
• High Risk behaviors: IV drug abuse, unprotected sex, multiple sex partners, occupational
exposure, blood transfusion
• Stages of HIV o Primary Infection: you have no idea that you have been exposed
Acute HIC infection/ acute HIV syndrome
Part of CDC category A
Symptoms: none to flu-like symptoms
Window period
Period of rapid viral replication and dissemination through the
body
Viral set point: balance between amount of HIV and the immune
response o HIV Asymptomatic:
CDC category A
More than 500 CD4+ lymphocytes/mm3 (WBC’s)
Upon reaching the viral set point, chronic asymptomatic state
begins
Body has sufficient immune response to defend against
pathogens o HIV Symptomatic:
CDC category B
200 to 499 CD4+lymphocytes/mm3 (WBC’s)
CD4 T cells gradually fall
The patient develops symptoms or conditions related to HIV
infection that are not classified as category C conditions
Patients who are once treated for category B condition are
considered category B o AIDS:
CDC category C
Less than 200 CD4+ lymphocytes/mm3 (WBC’s)
As levels drop below 100 cells/mm3. The immune system is
significantly impaired
STUDY GUIDE NOTES ||UPDATED 2026
,
, lO M oARcPSD| 68366729
Exam 4 AMS Notes
HIV
• Transmission of HIV: retro virus transmitted by body fluids containing HIV or infected
CD4 lymphocytes
• How does it work? Binds to CD4 receptor sites (human cell-CD4, T cells-lymphocytes,
monocytes etc…)
• Once they bind: HIV genetic material enters the cell, HIV RNA uses reverse transcriptase
to transcribe into a single strand of human DNA, viral RNA doubles and enters the
nucleus becoming a permanent part of the cells genetic structure, using protease HIV
RNA is able to replicate
• High Risk behaviors: IV drug abuse, unprotected sex, multiple sex partners, occupational
exposure, blood transfusion
• Stages of HIV o Primary Infection: you have no idea that you have been exposed
Acute HIC infection/ acute HIV syndrome
Part of CDC category A
Symptoms: none to flu-like symptoms
Window period
Period of rapid viral replication and dissemination through the
body
Viral set point: balance between amount of HIV and the immune
response o HIV Asymptomatic:
CDC category A
More than 500 CD4+ lymphocytes/mm3 (WBC’s)
Upon reaching the viral set point, chronic asymptomatic state
begins
Body has sufficient immune response to defend against
pathogens o HIV Symptomatic:
CDC category B
200 to 499 CD4+lymphocytes/mm3 (WBC’s)
CD4 T cells gradually fall
The patient develops symptoms or conditions related to HIV
infection that are not classified as category C conditions
Patients who are once treated for category B condition are
considered category B o AIDS:
CDC category C
Less than 200 CD4+ lymphocytes/mm3 (WBC’s)
As levels drop below 100 cells/mm3. The immune system is
significantly impaired
