Exam 2: NU606 NU 606 Latest

Exam 2: NU606 / NU 606 (Latest

Update 2025 / 2026) Advanced Pathophysiology | Guide Questions and Answers | Grade A | 100% Correct - Regis

Question:

List common causes of immunodeficiency.

Answer:

Primary: hypogammaglobulinemia; thymic aplasia, DiGeorge syndrome,

combined immunodeficiency syndrome (CIDS), inherited deficits in any one

or more of the components Secondary: kidney disease, Hodgkin disease,

AIDS, radiation, immunosuppressive drugs, immunosuppression, malnutrition, loss or removal of the spleen, liver disease

Question:

Identify the general effects of immunodeficiency.

Answer:

predisposition to opportunistic infections and an increased risk for cancer

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Question:

Identify the types of medications that are often prescribed for the immunodeficient individual or immunocompromised host

Answer:

prophylactic antimicrobials to reduce incidence of opportunistic infections; gamma globulin replacement therapy to provide passive immunity (antibodies)

Question:

What is the causative agent responsible for AIDS?

Answer:

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is the causative agent for AIDS. It is a "slow-acting" retrovirus containing two strands of RNA and the enzyme reverse transcriptase. Its envelope is characterized by spikes of glycoprotein.The virus is inactivated by many disinfectants and high temperatures.

Question:

Which cells are targeted by HIV?

Answer:

CD4 T-helper lymphocytes are the major target and, when destroyed, their function in the initiation of both humoral and cellular immunity is reduced or absent.

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Question:

List the routes of transmission of HIV.

Answer:

HIV must enter the bloodstream of the recipient through transmission of body fluids such as blood, semen, and vaginal secretions. Transmission most often occurs through unprotected sexual intercourse with an HIV-positive partner, intravenous injection with contaminated needles, maternal-fetal transmission, or blood transfusion.

Question:

Identify individuals who are at high risk for contracting HIV.

Answer:

At the highest risk are intravenous drug users, individuals with multiple sexual partners (particularly those having unprotected sex), and the unborn fetuses of HIV-positive mothers.

Question:

What is the average "window" or incubation period for HIV? State the possible range.

Answer:

Infected individuals usually become HIV positive within 2 to 10 weeks, but the "window" may be as long as 6 months. Full-blown AIDS may not occur for many years. After an initial infection, mild flulike symptoms appear in 3 to 6 weeks, followed by an asymptomatic latent period that may last for years before phase 3, acute onset of signs and symptoms, including multiple severe opportunistic infections and rare cancers such as Kaposi sarcoma. 3 / 4

Question:

How is a diagnosis of HIV infection confirmed?

Answer:

A blood test is performed for HIV antibodies using HIV antigen from recombinant HIV or ELISA for the primary test. The three-stage process

involves determining: 1. Presence of HIV-1/HIV-2 antigens/ antibodies,

differentiation/identification between HIV-1 and HIV 2 antibodies, and a nucleic acid test to confirm HIV-1 positivity and eliminate a false negative.

Question:

How is a diagnosis of AIDS confirmed?

Answer:

AIDS is diagnosed by a major decrease in the CD4 T-helper lymphocyte count and a change in the CD4+-to-CD8+ ratio in the presence of opportunistic infection or certain cancers.

Question:

Identify possible manifestations of the initial phase of HIV infection.

Answer:

mild, self-limited nonspecific flulike symptoms: low fever, fatigue, joint pain, and sore throat

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