A patient is taking a combination of antiviral drugs as treatment for early stages of a viral infection. While discussing the drug therapy, the patient asks the nurse if the drugs will kill the virus. When answering, the nurse keeps in mind which fact about antiviral drugs?
They are given for palliative reasons only.
They may also kill healthy cells while killing viruses.
They will be effective as long as the patient is not exposed to the virus again.
They can be given in large enough doses to eradicate the virus without harming the body’s healthy cells.
The correct answer is: b) They may also kill healthy cells while killing viruses.
The Correct Answer is B
Choice A reason: Antiviral drugs are not solely for palliative care. They inhibit viral replication, reducing viral load and disease severity, as with acyclovir for herpes. While some provide symptomatic relief, many target specific viral processes, aiming for virologic suppression or cure, not just palliation.
Choice B reason: Antiviral drugs, like acyclovir, inhibit viral replication (e.g., DNA polymerase), but some, like chemotherapy agents, can affect healthy cells with high turnover, causing side effects like myelosuppression. This non-specificity is a key consideration, as it limits dosing and requires monitoring for toxicity.
Choice C reason: Antiviral efficacy does not depend on avoiding re-exposure. Drugs like oseltamivir reduce viral replication during active infection, but re-exposure may cause new infections. Prophylaxis or vaccination prevents reinfection, not the drug’s initial effectiveness, making this statement incorrect for antiviral therapy.
Choice D reason: Antivirals cannot be dosed to eradicate viruses without harming healthy cells. Their mechanisms, like inhibiting viral enzymes, often affect host cells, causing toxicity (e.g., nephrotoxicity with acyclovir). Dose limitations balance efficacy and safety, preventing complete viral eradication without side effects.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Choice A reason: Temporary swelling and rash are not common adverse effects of topical acyclovir. This antiviral inhibits viral DNA replication with minimal local irritation. Allergic reactions are rare, and swelling or rash would suggest hypersensitivity, not a typical response to topical application for genital herpes.
Choice B reason: Numbness and tingling are not associated with topical acyclovir. These symptoms may occur with systemic antivirals or nerve-related conditions, but topical acyclovir acts locally on herpes lesions with minimal systemic absorption, causing primarily mild irritation rather than neurological symptoms like paresthesia.
Choice C reason: Insomnia is not a side effect of topical acyclovir, which has negligible systemic absorption. Systemic antivirals like oral acyclovir may rarely cause CNS effects, but topical application is confined to the skin, primarily causing local irritation, not systemic effects like sleep disturbances.
Choice D reason: A burning sensation is a common adverse effect of topical acyclovir when applied to genital herpes lesions. The drug’s vehicle or local tissue irritation during application can cause transient burning or stinging, which is expected and typically resolves, requiring patient education to ensure adherence.
Correct Answer is ["B","E"]
Explanation
Choice A reason: Antibiotics prescribed based on culture and sensitivity reports target specific bacterial susceptibilities, minimizing resistance. Appropriate use ensures effective bacterial killing, reducing the survival of resistant mutants. This practice aligns with antimicrobial stewardship, preventing the selection pressure that drives resistance development.
Choice B reason: Prescribing antibiotics for viral infections promotes resistance, as antibiotics do not affect viruses. Unnecessary exposure allows bacteria to develop resistance mechanisms, like beta-lactamase production, reducing future antibiotic efficacy. This misuse is a major contributor to the global rise of resistant bacterial strains.
Choice C reason: Taking antibiotics and antivirals together does not inherently cause resistance. Antibiotics target bacteria, and antivirals target viruses, with no direct interaction promoting bacterial resistance. Resistance arises from inappropriate antibiotic use, not combination with antivirals, making this situation irrelevant to resistance development.
Choice D reason: Microorganisms from foreign countries may carry resistance genes, but this describes transmission, not the mechanism of resistance development. Resistance occurs due to antibiotic misuse or overuse, not solely from geographic spread, making this less directly related to the situations causing resistance.
Choice E reason: Stopping antibiotics prematurely allows surviving bacteria to develop resistance. Incomplete treatment reduces antibiotic pressure, enabling bacteria to adapt through mutations or gene transfer, like plasmid-mediated resistance. Full-course adherence ensures bacterial eradication, preventing the emergence of resistant strains, making this a critical factor.
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