A nursing student asks a nurse why pegylated interferon alfa is ...

[big1devin]

A nursing student asks a nurse why pegylated interferon alfa is used instead of regular interferon for a patient with hepatitis C. The nurse will tell the student that pegylated interferon:
 
  a. decreases the need for additional medica-tions.
  b. has fewer adverse effects than interferon.
  c. is administered less frequently than inter-feron.
  d. may be given orally to increase ease of use.

Question 2

A patient has a positive test for hepatitis C and is admitted to the hospital. The admission laboratory tests reveal a normal ALT, and a liver biopsy is negative for hepatic fibrosis and in-flammation. The nurse will prepare this patient for:
 
  a. dual therapy with pegylated interferon alfa and ribavirin.
  b. no medication therapy at this time.
  c. pegylated interferon alfa only until ALT levels are elevated.
  d. triple drug therapy with pegylated inter-feron alfa, ribavirin, and boceprevir.

[IRincones]

Answer to Question 1

C
Pegylated interferon alfa preparations are preferred because of their convenience and superior efficacy. These preparations may be given once weekly instead of three or more times per week like the regular interferon. Using pegylated interferons does not decrease the need for additional medications. Pegylated interferons have similar adverse effects. Pegylated interferons are not given orally.

Answer to Question 2

B
Current recommendations are that treatment is used only for patients with HCV viremia, persis-tent elevation of ALT, and evidence of hepatic fibrosis and inflammation upon liver biopsy. Dual therapy has been the regimen of choice for patients with the above symptoms, but the addition of a protease inhibitor has been shown to improve outcomes. It is not correct to give pegylated in-terferon alfa until ALT levels are elevated. Triple drug therapy is used for patients with the above symptoms.

[big1devin]

Excellent

[rachel]

TYSM