The antiviral drug used to treat influenza is?

Appeared in: Tripura CHO - 2021

Explanation

Oseltamivir is a neuraminidase inhibitor, a class of antiviral drugs specifically designed to target the influenza virus.
It is effective against both influenza A and influenza B strains.
Its mechanism of action involves blocking the neuraminidase enzyme, which is crucial for the release of newly formed virus particles from infected host cells.
By inhibiting viral release, oseltamivir limits the spread of the infection in the respiratory tract, which shortens the duration of illness and reduces symptom severity.
Clinical guidelines recommend starting treatment as early as possible, ideally within 48 hours of symptom onset, for maximum benefit.

Option A: Acyclovir is an antiviral medication, but its spectrum of activity is limited to herpesviruses.
Option C: Imunovir (inosine pranobex) is an immunostimulatory drug, not a direct-acting antiviral agent recommended for routine influenza treatment.
Option D: Zidovudine (also known as AZT) is an antiretroviral medication specifically used to treat Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV).

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: Knowing Pharmacological treatment of influenza virus infection helps nurses interpret findings accurately and avoid errors in routine assessment, medication administration, and patient teaching.
Nurses are responsible for identifying patients with influenza symptoms, especially those in high-risk groups (e.g., elderly, pregnant women, individuals with chronic diseases), who may benefit most from oseltamivir.
Patient education is a critical nursing role. It's important to explain that antivirals are not a cure but can lessen symptoms and that the annual flu vaccine remains the best preventive measure.
Nurses must monitor for adverse effects, primarily nausea and vomiting, and can advise the patient to take the medication with meals to reduce this risk.

How to Approach the Question

This is a factual recall question from pharmacology.
First, identify the key terms in the question: 'antiviral drug' and 'influenza'.
The question asks for the specific drug used to treat the flu.
Review the four options provided, which are all antiviral or related medications.
Systematically evaluate each option based on its known primary indication.
Recall that Acyclovir is for herpes, and Zidovudine is for HIV.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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E6 Pharmacology Nursing Lilley 11e Part 3 p. 12-14

E6 Medicine Harrison 22e Part 1 pp. 1529-1531, 1578-1580

Practise the full Tripura CHO - 2021

Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.