A male patient with hepatitis C will begin triple drug therapy ...

[kamilo84]

A male patient with hepatitis C will begin triple drug therapy with pegylated interferon alfa 2a (Pegasys), ribavirin (Ribasphere), and boceprevir (Victrelis). The patient tells the nurse that his wife is pregnant. What will the nurse tell him?
 
  a. Boceprevir is contraindicated in males whose partners are pregnant.
  b. He should use a barrier contraceptive when having sex.
  c. He should use dual drug therapy with pegylated interferon alfa and ribavirin only.
  d. This combination drug therapy is safe for him to 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 inflammation. 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 interferon alfa, ribavirin, and boceprevir.

[Jossy]

Answer to Question 1

ANS: A
The triple combination is dangerous for pregnant women whose partners are using it, so it is contraindicated for any man whose partner is pregnant. Barrier contraceptives should be used by couples when either partner is taking the triple combination therapy to prevent pregnancy. Ribavirin is teratogenic and is not safe when a partner is pregnant. This combination is not safe for pregnant women whose partners are taking these drugs.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: B
Current recommendations are that treatment is used only for patients with HCV viremia, persistent 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 interferon alfa until ALT levels are elevated. Triple drug therapy is used for patients with the above symptoms.

[kamilo84]

Both answers were spot on, thank you once again

[Jossy]

Great! Please up vote