(ATI/HESI question from external source) A patient is diagnosed with hepatitis C, and antiviral therapy is initiated. What should the nurse include in the patient's education regarding antiviral therapy side effects?

Choice A rationale:

Elevated HCV RNA levels indicate ongoing active viral replication and are not indicative of an effective response to antiviral therapy. The goal of antiviral therapy is to suppress viral replication, leading to decreased or undetectable HCV RNA levels.

Choice B rationale:

Presence of anti-HCV antibodies is a marker of past or current exposure to hepatitis C virus. While it indicates the client's immune response to the virus, it does not provide information about the effectiveness of antiviral therapy in suppressing viral replication.

Choice C rationale:

Detectable HCV core antigen suggests the presence of the virus but does not provide information about viral replication or the effectiveness of antiviral therapy in reducing viral load.

Choice D rationale:

Undetectable HCV RNA 12 weeks after treatment is considered a sustained virological response (SVR) and indicates an effective response to antiviral therapy. SVR means that the virus is undetectable in the blood even after the completion of treatment, which indicates successful viral clearance.

Choice A rationale:

While visual disturbances can occur as side effects of some medications, it is not the priority education for a patient undergoing antiviral therapy for hepatitis

C. Visual disturbances are not common or specific to antiviral therapy.

Choice B rationale:

Choice B is the correct answer because it is essential to educate the patient about avoiding alcohol and hepatotoxic drugs during antiviral therapy for hepatitis

C. Alcohol and certain medications can worsen liver function and interfere with the effectiveness of antiviral treatment.

Choice C rationale:

Educating the patient about the need for a high-protein diet during treatment is not a priority in antiviral therapy for hepatitis

C. While a balanced diet is important for overall health, there is no specific requirement for a high-protein diet during antiviral treatment.

Choice D rationale:

Encouraging the patient to engage in strenuous physical activities to alleviate fatigue is not the priority education for a patient undergoing antiviral therapy. Strenuous physical activities might be counterproductive, as the patient may experience fatigue as a side effect of the therapy. Instead, the focus should be on adequate rest and moderate exercise.