Nursing care of patients with Chronic viral hepatitis C : 2 case studies

Abstract

Abstract

This study is a comparative study of nursing care for 2 patients with chronic hepatitis C virus at the specialized medical examination room, outpatient department, Khon Kaen Hospital, from November 1, 2024 to May 31, 2025. It was found that both patients Case study 1: A 57-year-old Thai female patient was referred from Phu Wiang Hospital with symptoms of abdominal pain and tightness. She was found to be infected with Hepatitis C virus. She had a history of current illness 1 month before coming to the hospital. The stomach pain went away on its own without any treatment. The patient was screened for Hepatitis C virus. The test results showed that the patient was infected with Hepatitis C virus, so he was referred to Khon Kaen Hospital for treatment. The patient was found to have Hepatitis C virus 5 years ago and was treated at Khon Kaen Hospital. And did not come for a follow-up appointment because there was no stomach pain. First admitted to the Gastrointestinal Clinic, Internal Medicine Specialist Examination Room, Outpatient Department. Before seeing the doctor, the patient was conscious and able to follow instructions. Vital signs assessment: body temperature 36.5 degrees Celsius, heart rate 82 beats per minute, respiratory rate 20 beats per minute, blood pressure 121/72 mmHg, oxygen saturation 98%, abdominal pain here was no loss of appetite. During the examination, the doctor did not find an enlarged liver. There was no jaundice. The laboratory test results were anti-HCV positive (hepatitis C virus detected). The doctor diagnosed Chronic viral hepatitis C (chronic hepatitis C virus).  Recently, doctors and nurses have been providing advice on the correct behavior when returning home, such as taking medication continuously, preventing the spread of infection, eating, and coming for check-ups

Case study 2: A 56-year-old Thai male patient was referred from Phrayun Hospital with pain in the right lower ribcage. He was found to be infected with hepatitis C virus. He had a history of current illness 1 week before coming to the hospital. I had a stabbing pain under my right ribcage. I went to Phra Yuen Hospital and was diagnosed with hepatitis C. He was then referred to Khon Kaen Hospital for treatment. He have an underlying condition, Alcoholic liver cirrhosis. He have a history of drinking alcohol every day and smoking 20 cigarettes a day. First admission at the Gastrointestinal Clinic, Internal Medicine Specialist Examination Room, Outpatient Department. Before seeing the doctor, the patient was conscious and able to follow instructions. Assessment of vital signs: body temperature 36.6 degrees Celsius, heart rate 70 beats per minute Respiratory rate 20 times per minute, blood pressure 136/85 mmHg, oxygen saturation 98%, pain under the right rib cage, no loss of appetite. During examination, the doctor did not find an enlarged liver, no jaundice, and yellow eyes. Laboratory test results were anti-HCV positive (hepatitis C virus detected), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) 97 U/L and Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) 108 U/L. The doctor diagnosed Chronic viral hepatitis C (chronic hepatitis C virus). After the diagnosis, the doctor and nurse referred the patient to a smoking cessation clinic and gave them advice on the correct behavior when they returned home. Abstaining from alcohol, smoking, preventing the spread of infection, eating well, and coming for check-ups as scheduled.