Question | Discussion | References | CME Credit

Case 2: Initial Evaluation and Postexposure Prophylaxis

You answered:

B PEP should be initiated if viral load testing on the source patient reveals a high viral load.

This answer is incorrect. Animal studies suggest that PEP is more effective if administered within several hours of exposure, thus decisions about PEP administration should not be delayed pending source patient HIV RNA results that will not be immediately available. Moreover, a low viral load would not exclude the need for PEP.

Choose another answer:

A PEP is not indicated at this time because too much time has elapsed since the exposure.
C A two-drug PEP regimen should be initiated immediately.
D A three-drug PEP regimen should be initiated immediately.

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