A patient presents to her primary health care provider for treatment of herpes simplex. While obtaining the medical history of the patient, the nurse discovers that the patient has respiratory problems and uses theophylline

Question

The primary health care provider considers prescribing acyclovir as the drug for treatment until she reads the nursing history. The nurse understands that the primary health care provider decided against the use of acyclovir for which reason?

A) Increases the risk for acyclovir toxicity
B) Increases the risk of seizures in patients with respiratory problems
C) Increases serum level of theophylline in patients taking theophylline
D) Increased serum levels of antiviral valacyclovir

Answer 1

Ans: C
Feedback:
When patients receiving theophylline treatment are administered acyclovir, there is an increase in the serum level of theophylline, thus placing the client at risk for theophylline toxicity. The serum levels of acyclovir do not increase. Increased levels of valacyclovir occur if the patient is taking valacyclovir, not theophylline. Taking acyclovir with theophylline does not increase the risk of seizures.