Current Issues in Maternal-Newborn Nursing Related

Review Current Issues in Maternal-Newborn Nursing related questions and content

A nurse is caring for a patient who has HSV and is pregnant. The patient is concerned about the fetus. What medication is safest to take?

  • A. valacyclovir
  • B. none
  • C. acyclovir
  • D. famciclovir
Correct Answer: C

Rationale: Acyclovir is the antiviral medication of choice for treating HSV (Herpes Simplex Virus) infections during pregnancy due to its known safety profile. It is classified as Category B by the FDA, indicating that there is no evidence of risk to the fetus based on animal studies. Valacyclovir and famciclovir, on the other hand, are both classified as Category B (risk cannot be ruled out) and Category C (animal studies have shown adverse effects) by the FDA, respectively. It is generally recommended to avoid taking unnecessary medications during pregnancy, but if treatment for HSV is necessary, acyclovir is considered the safest option.