Question

A patient has herpes simplex 2 viral infection (HSV-2). The nurse recognizes that which of the following should be included in teaching the patient?

a) The virus causes cold sores of the lips.
b) Treatment is focused on relieving symptoms.
c) The virus may be cured with antibiotics.
d) The virus when active may not be contracted during intercourse.

Answer 1

When teaching a patient with HSV-2, it is important to explain the difference between genital herpes and cold sores, focus on managing the infection, clarify that antibiotics do not cure the virus, and emphasize the potential for transmission during intercourse.

Step-by-step explanation:

The nurse should include the following information when teaching a patient with herpes simplex 2 viral infection (HSV-2):

• HSV-2 is usually associated with genital herpes and not cold sores of the lips (option a).
• Treatment for HSV-2 focuses on managing the infection by keeping the virus in its dormant or latent phase and reducing signs and symptoms (option b).
• HSV-2 cannot be cured with antibiotics (option c) as antibiotics are used to treat bacterial infections, not viral infections.
• It is important for the patient to be aware that the virus can still be transmitted during intercourse even when it is active (option d).