A patient has lamivudine-resistant hepatitis B and has been ...

[nelaaney]

A patient has lamivudine-resistant hepatitis B and has been taking entecavir Baraclude for 2 years. The patient asks the nurse why the provider has recommended taking the drug for another year. What will the nurse tell the patient?
 
  a. Entecavir can reverse fibrosis and cirr-hosis of the liver when taken long term.
  b. It is necessary to continue taking enteca-vir to avoid withdrawal symptoms.
  c. The drug will be given until the infection is completely eradicated.
  d. You will need to continue taking enteca-vir to prevent lactic acidosis and hepato-toxicity.

Question 2

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. 48 weeks.
  d. until nephrotoxicity occurs.

[kardosa007]

Answer to Question 1

A
Recent evidence indicates that, with long-term use (3 years), entecavir can reverse fibrosis and cirrhosis. The drug is not continued to avoid withdrawal symptoms. Patients who stop taking en-tecavir may experience acute exacerbations of hepatitis B; the disease is not eradicated. Entecavir can cause lactic acidosis and hepatotoxicity; it does not prevent these adverse effects.

Answer to Question 2

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 effec-tive treatment.

[nelaaney]

Thanks for the timely response, appreciate it

[kswal303]

Gracias!