Master Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) Diagnosis (OLD VERSION) with Picmonic for Nursing RN

HIV diagnosis is confirmed with a Western blot test. This HIV-specific antibody test is usually done after the patient tests positive for HIV antibodies. Since the Western blot test has a low false-positive rate, it is considered a "rule-in" test for diagnosis HIV. After confirming the diagnosis of HIV, a plan of treatment should be initiated (refer to the Picmonic on "HIV Interventions").

A woman with HIV infection may transplacentally transmit the virus to the newborn. The PCR test is performed neonate’s blood whose mothers have HIV in order to determine the presence of HIV-1 DNA. This test differentiates between the mother's HIV antibodies and the actual presence of HIV-1 DNA in the newborn.

Viral load tests, such as the P24 Antigen Assay, are used to determine the amount of RNA in the patient's plasma. The level of the patient's viral load helps determine the progression of HIV (refer to the Picmonic on "HIV Stages"). If the patient's viral load is considered "undetectable," the test is unable to report the viral load but does not indicate the virus has been eliminated.

The formation of HIV-specific antibodies in the blood may take weeks after the initial infection. A positive HIV diagnosis may take 6 weeks to 12 weeks after exposure. It is not unusual for the patient to test negative until 1 year after the initial exposure.