Carol Banks is a 42-year-old woman diagnosed with hepatitis C who was recently seen by her health care provider at an office visit. She reported having right upper quadrant pain, fatigue, anorexia,...

Carol Banks is a 42-year-old woman diagnosed with hepatitis C who was recently seen by her health care provider at an office visit. She reported having right upper quadrant pain, fatigue, anorexia, nausea, and vomiting. She has been feeling progressively worse for the past year but did not seek medical care for her problem. She has lost 5.4 kg (12 lb) over the past 6 months. Carol was initially hospitalized to receive IV fluids for dehydration and to be further evaluated. Once in the hospital, a full hepatitis panel found that she was positive for hepatitis C virus (HCV). During the initial interview with Carol, she discloses that she was addicted to illegal IV drugs for 15 years and was an alcohol abuser for 20 years. However, Carol claims that she has abstained from substance abuse for the past 5 years. She resides with her husband and three children and is employed as a clerk in a local retail convenience store. As part of the treatment for Carol’s hepatitis she is prescribed IFN alfa-2b (Intron A). She is taught to self-administer (subcutaneously) the standard dose of IFN, 3 million units, given three times weekly.

1. Discuss the rationale for the use of IFN alfa-2b (Intron A) in the treatment of hepatitis C.

2. What adverse effects is Carol experiencing with this drug therapy? How can the nurse assist Carol to cope with the related adverse effects?

3. Identify the patient education that Carol will need concerning her drug therapy.