Hipatitis B

1. HEPATITIS B
adult 1 clinical

2. OBJECTIVE
 Description
 Individuals at increased risk
 Transmission
 Assessment finding
 Incubation period
 Testing
 Complications
 Prevention

3. A. DESCRIPTION
 An acute or chronic inflammation of the liver that
may be caused by a virus.
 Hepatitis B is non-seasonal and all age groups can be
affected.

4. B. INDIVIDUALS AT INCREASED RISK
1. IV drug users
2. Clients undergoing long-term hemodialysis
3. Health care personnel

5. C. TRANSMISSION
1. Blood or body fluid contact
2. Infected blood products
3. Infected saliva or semen
4. Contaminated needles
5. Sexual contact
6. Parenteral
7. Prenatal period
8. Blood or body fluid contact at birth

6. ASSESSMENT FINDING

7.  D. Incubation period: 6 to 24 weeks
 E. Testing
1. Infection is established by the presence of hepatitis B antigen–
antibody systems in the blood.
2. The presence of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) is the
serological marker establishing the diagnosis of hepatitis B.
3. The client is considered infectious if these antigens are present
in the blood.
4. If the serological marker (HBsAg) is present after 6 months, it
indicates a carrier state or chronic hepatitis.

8. 5. Normally, the serological marker (HBsAg) level declines
and disappears after the acute hepatitis B episode.
6. The presence of antibodies to HBsAg (anti-HBs)
indicates recovery and immunity to hepatitis B.
7. Hepatitis B early antigen (HBeAg) is detected in the
blood about 1 week after the appearance of HBsAg, and
its presence determines the infective state of the client.

9. F. COMPLICATIONS
 1. Fulminant (severe acute course)hepatitis
 2. Chronic liver disease
 3. Cirrhosis
 4. Primary hepato-cellular carcinoma

10. G. PREVENTION
1. Strict hand washing
2. Screening blood donors
3. Testing of all pregnant women
4. Needle precautions
5. Avoiding intimate sexual contact and contact with body
fluids if test for (HBsAg) is positive.

11.  6. Hepatitis B vaccine: Adult and pediatric forms; there is also an
adult vaccine that protects against hepatitis A and B.
 7. Hepatitis B immune globulin is for individuals exposed to HBV
through sexual contact or through the per-cutaneous or trans-
mucosal routes who have never had hepatitis B and have never
received hepatitis B vaccine.
 8. Hepatitis B immunoglobulin provide passive immunity and may
be effective in preventing infection after a 1-time exposure (should
be given immediately after exposure), such as an accidental needle
puncture or other contact of contaminated material with mucous
membranes; immunoglobulin should also be given to newborns
whose mothers are positive for hepatitis B surface antigen

12. CLIENT AND FAMILY HOME CARE
INSTRUCTIONS FOR HEPATITIS

13. REFERENCE
 Silvestri, L. A., & Silvestri, A. E. (2019). Saunders
Comprehensive Review for the NCLEX-RN®
Examination-E-Book.