A patient with hepatitis B begins treatment with adefovir ...

[RYAN BANYAN]

A patient with hepatitis B begins treatment with adefovir (Hepsera) and asks the nurse how long the drug therapy will last. The nurse will tell the patient that the medication will need to be taken for:
 
  a. a lifetime.
  b. an indefinite, prolonged period of time.
  c. forty-eight weeks.
  d. until nephrotoxicity occurs.

Question 2

A female patient who has hepatitis C is being treated with pegylated interferon alfa and ribavirin (Ribasphere). It will be important for the nurse to teach this patient that:
 
  a. if she gets pregnant, she should use the inhaled form of ribavirin (Virazole).
  b. if she is taking oral contraceptives, she should also take a protease inhibitor.
  c. she should use a hormonal contraceptive to avoid pregnancy.
  d. she will need a monthly pregnancy test during her treatment.

[Galvarado142]

Answer to Question 1

ANS: B
Current guidelines recommend treatment only for patients at highest risk; it is unknown whether treatment should continue lifelong. Treatment is usually prolonged, without a specific period of time. Nephrotoxicity is common but is not the deciding factor when determining length of effective treatment.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: D
Ribavirin causes severe fetal injury and is contraindicated during pregnancy. Women taking ribavirin must rule out pregnancy before starting the drug, monthly during treatment, and monthly for 6 months after stopping treatment. Inhaled ribavirin is also embryo lethal and teratogenic. Adding a protease inhibitor will reduce the efficacy of oral contraceptives. Women using ribavirin should use two reliable forms of birth control.

[RYAN BANYAN]

Thanks for the timely response, appreciate it

[sailorcrescent]

TYSM