Difficulty: Medium
Average Score: 84%
Full-length
The nurse is reinforcing teaching for a client who is prescribed acyclovir for genital herpes. Which statement should be included by the nurse?
Correct answer
D
Rationale
Acyclovir (Zovirax), famciclovir, and valacyclovir are commonly used to treat herpes infection as they shorte
the duration and severity of active lesions. Genital herpes is a sexually transmitted infection caused by a
herpes simplex virus and is highly contagious, especially when lesions are active. It remains dormant in the
body even when active lesions are healed; however, it is still contagious, even when dormant. The infection
can be spread to other people or other parts of the body via skin-to-skin contact; therefore, gloves should be
used when applying topical antiviral or analgesic (eg, lidocaine) medications. There is no cure for genital
herpes; treatment is aimed at relieving symptoms and preventing the spread of infection
the duration and severity of active lesions. Genital herpes is a sexually transmitted infection caused by a
herpes simplex virus and is highly contagious, especially when lesions are active. It remains dormant in the
body even when active lesions are healed; however, it is still contagious, even when dormant. The infection
can be spread to other people or other parts of the body via skin-to-skin contact; therefore, gloves should be
used when applying topical antiviral or analgesic (eg, lidocaine) medications. There is no cure for genital
herpes; treatment is aimed at relieving symptoms and preventing the spread of infection