A patient with multiple sclerosis is to begin treatment with interferon beta. The patient comes to the clinic to have pretreatment laboratory tests. Which statement by the patient indicates a need for further teaching about these tests?
A) "After the first year of treatment, I will need once yearly blood work."
B) "I will need to have lab tests done every 3 months for the first year."
C) "If my liver function tests are abnormal, I will need to stop using this drug."
D) "These lab tests will measure liver and bone marrow function."

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Patients treated with interferon beta require evaluation of bone marrow function with CBCs and of liver function with liver function tests (LFTs)at the beginning of therapy for baseline,every 3 months for a year,and then every 6 months thereafter. Abnormal LFTs warrant discontinuation of the drug.

A Patient with Multiple Sclerosis Is to Begin Treatment with Interferon