Question

What should be monitored in an infant taking acyclovir for 6 months or longer for neonatal Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV)?

A) Renal function and blood cell counts
B) Blood pressure and heart rate
C) Liver enzymes and glucose levels
D) Respiratory rate and oxygen saturation

Answer 1

For infants on acyclovir, renal function and blood cell counts must be monitored due to the potential side effects of the drug on the kidneys and blood.

Step-by-step explanation:

For an infant taking acyclovir for 6 months or longer for neonatal Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV), it is important to monitor renal function and blood cell counts, which is answer option A. Acyclovir is an antiviral medication that can have side effects affecting the kidneys and potentially lead to changes in the number and type of blood cells. The monitoring of renal function usually includes tests for serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen (BUN), while blood cell counts involve complete blood count (CBC) tests to check for any changes that could indicate bone marrow suppression or other serious conditions.