A nurse is caring for a client diagnosed with herpes varicella zoster. What pharmacologic agent should the nurse anticipate the primary healthcare provider will prescribe?

Prepare for the Hurst Readiness Exam 2 with engaging quizzes, flashcards, and detailed explanations. Master your exam with confidence!

Multiple Choice

A nurse is caring for a client diagnosed with herpes varicella zoster. What pharmacologic agent should the nurse anticipate the primary healthcare provider will prescribe?

Antiviral therapy that targets herpesviruses is the appropriate approach for varicella zoster infections. Acyclovir is a nucleoside analog that, once inside infected cells, is activated by viral thymidine kinase and then inhibits viral DNA polymerase, effectively stopping viral DNA synthesis. This reduces viral replication, helping to lessen the severity and duration of lesions and symptoms. Early treatment—ideally started soon after rash onset—improves outcomes, and more severe cases or immunocompromised patients may require intravenous administration. The other options are antibiotics and do not treat viral infections, so they aren’t appropriate choices for a herpesvirus like varicella zoster.

Antiviral therapy that targets herpesviruses is the appropriate approach for varicella zoster infections. Acyclovir is a nucleoside analog that, once inside infected cells, is activated by viral thymidine kinase and then inhibits viral DNA polymerase, effectively stopping viral DNA synthesis. This reduces viral replication, helping to lessen the severity and duration of lesions and symptoms. Early treatment—ideally started soon after rash onset—improves outcomes, and more severe cases or immunocompromised patients may require intravenous administration. The other options are antibiotics and do not treat viral infections, so they aren’t appropriate choices for a herpesvirus like varicella zoster.

More practice questions