Acid Reflux (GERD) & Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome Notes PDF

## Acid Reflux (GERD) - What is the primary symptom? - Heartburn (pyrosis) - What test confirms GERD? - Barium swallow fluoroscopy - What body part malfunction occurs in GERD? - The lower esophageal sphincter ### Clinical Priority 1. Teach the patient to eat small frequent meals whic...

## Acid Reflux (GERD) - What is the primary symptom? - Heartburn (pyrosis) - What test confirms GERD? - Barium swallow fluoroscopy - What body part malfunction occurs in GERD? - The lower esophageal sphincter ### Clinical Priority 1. Teach the patient to eat small frequent meals which creates less hydrochloric acid. 2. Patients should remain upright for 30 minutes after every meal. 3. Patients should avoid food items which create more acid such as orange juice or tomatoes. 4. The use of antacids should be encouraged. Antacids should be taken 1 hour before or after other medications. Antacids can also cause constipation. ## Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome - What is the virus that causes AIDS? - Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) - How is HIV transmitted? - Sexual intercourse - Direct contact with infected blood or body fluids such as semen and breast milk. - What are the symptoms of HIV? - Fever, weight loss, night sweats, diarrhea, fatigue - How is the presence of HIV confirmed? - Screening is done FIRST to see if the HIV antibodies are present, the test is performed to identify the HIV antibodies. - What is the screening test? - ELISA - What is ELISA? - It is the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. A blood test that uses special enzymes that attach to blood. - What confirms the screening test? - HIV differentiation assay, Western Blot is no longer used. - How does HIV attack the body? - It attacks the immune system by destroying T-lymphocytes. The virus also rapidly self-replicates. - What is so important about T-lymphocytes? - T cells help the immune system to recognize and fight pathogens