Hepatitis C

Course overview

This online course consists of: Describe the history of the hepatitis C virus. List the challenges that researchers have encountered that prevent them from eradicating the hepatitis C virus worldwide. Describe the prevalence of hepatitis C worldwide and domestically. Describe the normal function of the liver. List and describe the mechanisms that the hepatitis C virus uses to slowly and silently destroy the liver. Distinguish the difference between viral and non-viral forms of hepatitis. Identify and distinguish the difference between all of the viral forms of hepatitis. State the difference in symptoms that patients may exhibit in acute and chronic hepatitis C. Identify and discuss the three different diagnostic tests that are implemented to confirm hepatitis C. State the rationale for doing a liver biopsy on a patient with hepatitis C. List the risk factors that increase the likelihood of contracting the hepatitis C virus. Describe the treatment modalities to control the hepatitis C virus. Identify and discuss the education nurses can provide patients that are infected with the hepatitis C virus. Identify the expectations of the nurse who endures a needle-stick injury at work. Describe the future of the hepatitis C virus.