Which drug would a nurse least likely expect to be prescribed for a client with chronic hepatitis B?
A Adefovir
B Entecavir
C Telbivudine
D Fosamprenavir
The correct answer and explanation is:
The correct answer is D. Fosamprenavir.
Explanation: Chronic hepatitis B (HBV) is a viral infection of the liver, and its management typically involves antiviral medications that target the hepatitis B virus. The primary goal of treatment is to reduce viral replication and prevent liver damage. Medications commonly used for chronic HBV include nucleoside/nucleotide analogs such as adefovir, entecavir, and telbivudine. These medications work by inhibiting the replication of the hepatitis B virus, helping to reduce viral load and improve liver function.
- Adefovir (Option A) is a nucleotide analog that inhibits the replication of the hepatitis B virus by interfering with the viral reverse transcriptase enzyme, which is essential for the virus’s replication. It is often prescribed for chronic hepatitis B and is effective in reducing the viral load.
- Entecavir (Option B) is another antiviral drug used to treat chronic hepatitis B. It is a nucleoside analog that directly inhibits the HBV DNA polymerase enzyme, preventing viral replication. It is considered one of the most potent treatments for HBV.
- Telbivudine (Option C) is also a nucleoside analog used in the treatment of chronic hepatitis B. Like the other drugs mentioned above, it helps to decrease the viral load and prevent liver damage by inhibiting viral replication.
However, fosamprenavir (Option D) is a protease inhibitor primarily used in the treatment of HIV, not hepatitis B. It works by inhibiting the HIV protease enzyme, which is necessary for the replication of the HIV virus. It is not effective against hepatitis B and would not be prescribed to a client with chronic hepatitis B. Therefore, fosamprenavir is the drug that a nurse would least expect to be prescribed for chronic hepatitis B.