Assessment Questions

Question 1

I am a third-year student nurse and am currently researching a case

study based on the biopsychosocial history of a patient who suffers from

chronic hepatitis C, which initially occurred as a result of injecting drugs.

I am confused about the biological effect of hepatitis: how exactly does it

affect the liver?

Question 2

What are the admission criteria for a case of acute viral hepatitis?

Question 3

I would like to know where I can find details on hepatitis B virus (HBV)

infection: chronic carrier, asymptomatic [normal liver function tests, HBV

DNA/real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR)240 copies/mL, core

less than 0.1]. Does a patient with such a profile need therapy or fine

needle aspiration (FNA) biopsy? What is the possibility of hepatocellular

carcinoma (HCC) in such a patient?

Question 4

In chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, when anti-hepatitis B e

antibody (anti-HBe) develops (seroconversion), the antigen disappears

and there is a rise in alanine transferase (ALT). However, the graph in

your book (K&C 7e, p. 337, Fig. 7.16) seems to show a fall in ALT at this

point. Which is correct?

Question 5

Interferon can be used in prophylaxis from hepatitis C after exposure.

Could you explain how this can be used, and what degree of success can

be expected as a result?

Question 6

What is the latest recommended drug treatment for hepatitis C?

Question 7

Can hepatitis C disease be treated in a carrier state completely by giving

interferon?

Question 8

I am a carrier of hepatitis C (HCV) and am going to have antiviral

treatment soon. Are the side-effects of antiviral treatment for HCV bound

to occur? I am very worried.

Question 9

Besides needle-pricks, how else is it possible to contract hepatitis C from

a hepatitis C (HCV)-positive patient? Are the patient's skin/sweat (or

other bodily secretions) infectious?

Question 10

What is the risk of infection with hepatitis C from blood splashed into

the eyes?