The primary care pediatric nurse practitioner performs a well child examination on
a 1monthold. The infant was recently discharged from the neonatal intensive care unit after treatment with parenteral acyclovir for a neonatal herpetic infection and is currently taking oral acyclovir. What will the nurse practitioner do to manage this infant's care?

Question

The primary care pediatric nurse practitioner performs a well child examination on
a 1­month­old. The infant was recently discharged from the neonatal intensive care unit after treatment with parenteral acyclovir for a neonatal herpetic infection and is currently taking oral acyclovir. What will the nurse practitioner do to manage this infant's care?

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The infant's recent treatment with parenteral acyclovir may have an impact on their white blood cell count, so obtaining regular absolute neutrophil counts is necessary to monitor for any potential adverse effects. Routine skin cultures for herpes simplex virus are not typically necessary unless there is evidence of active infection. The need for continued acyclovir use will be determined by the infant's physician, as treatment duration and follow-up will be based on the severity and extent of the infection. There is no set rule to stop oral acyclovir at 2 months of age.

The Primary Care Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Performs a Well Child