Assignment: Pharmacotherapy for Gastrointestinal and Hepatobiliary Disorders

Assignment: Pharmacotherapy for Gastrointestinal and Hepatobiliary Disorders

The case study describes client HL having nausea/vomiting and diarrhea complaints. HL admits to using illicit drugs and had a likely Hepatitis C infection. His current medications are Nifedipine 30 mg, Synthroid 100 mcg, and Prednisone 10 mg. This paper will discuss the client’s diagnosis and the pharmacological treatment plan.

Assessment and Diagnosis

To correctly diagnose HL, advance practitioner must do a detailed physical examination and complete history for the diagnosis of the health conditions .Most GI disorders has the same presentation symptoms and many other diseases may mimic Gastrointestinal disorder. Also, questions about onset and duration of the symptoms should be asked to determine if the symptoms are caused by the home medications or another underlining cause. The APRN, focus will be on finding the cause while treating the presenting symptoms. Diagnostic tools will include lab work to diagnose Hepatitis C, stool test for C-Diff, urinalysis for drug test, and imaging test such as ultrasound to assess liver problems. Due to the presenting symptoms, I will give a primary diagnosis of the condition as acute gastroenteritis.

Hepatitis C is the most likely diagnosis for HL. Hepatitis C is characterized by liver inflammation from infection by Hepatitis C virus (HCV). The HCV is an RNA virus found in blood and is spread parenterally (Manns et al., 2017). Most HCV infections are caused by exposure to infected blood through unsafe injections, recycling syringes for drug users, transfusion of unscreened blood, unsafe health care practices, and unsafe sexual practices (Ghany et al., 2019). Acute symptomatic persons exhibit malaise, anorexia, nausea, vomiting, jaundice, abdominal discomfort, myalgia, pale feces, and dark urine (Ghany et al., 2019). HL presents with nausea and vomiting, which are consistent with Hepatitis C. The patient abuses illicit drugs and had a Hepatitis C infection, increasing the risk of developing Hepatitis C.

Drug Therapy Plan

The treatment plan for HL will include a combination of Elbasvir/Grazoprevir for 12 weeks. The Elbasvir/Grazoprevir combination is used for patients who have never been on Hepatitis C treatment in the presence or absence of asymptomatic cirrhosis (Panel et al., 2018). It is also used for patients having stage 4/5chronic kidney disease.

Conclusion

HL has a diagnosis of Hepatitis C based on symptoms of nausea and vomiting and a history of using illicit drugs and HCV infection. HCV transmission occurs when one is exposed to contaminated blood from unsafe injections and transfusion. The treatment will include a combination of Elbasvir/Grazoprevir.