Hepatitis B and C

Hepatitis B and hepatitis C are viral infections that inflame and injure the liver. They overlap in routes of blood exposure and long-term complications, but the nursing priorities differ: hepatitis B is vaccine-preventable and has effective postexposure prophylaxis, whereas hepatitis C has no vaccine or postexposure prophylaxis but is usually curable with direct-acting antivirals. Infection may be silent, so a normal appearance does not exclude transmission or progressive liver disease. The LVN/LPN assesses the patient, administers ordered care within state law and facility policy, reinforces teaching, and promptly reports findings that suggest hepatic decompensation.