Interferon and the fear of needles: a case report

Gastroenterol Nurs. 2011 Sep-Oct;34(5):384-8. doi: 10.1097/SGA.0b013e31822c3a3a.

Abstract

The treatment of viral hepatitis C infection uses a combination of pegylated interferon and ribavirin. Psychological preparation of the patient is vital to ensure adherence to the treatment. In our center, the nurse prepares this treatment according to an established educative protocol; however, some patients have special needs that require individualized attention. One such situation observed by the nurse is that the patients frequently admit to the fear of needle puncture (the peginterferon treatment is administered subcutaneously) and are unable to inject themselves. We describe a representative case and the care plan to manage the patient's fear so that the patient acquires confidence in his or her ability to self-inject. This facilitates autonomy and coresponsibility for the treatment, and the nurse can develop care approaches to combat the patient's fear of needles.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Drug Therapy, Combination
  • Fear
  • Female
  • Hepatitis C, Chronic / diagnosis
  • Hepatitis C, Chronic / drug therapy*
  • Humans
  • Injections, Subcutaneous
  • Interferon alpha-2
  • Interferon-alpha / administration & dosage*
  • Needles*
  • Nurse-Patient Relations
  • Patient Education as Topic / methods
  • Phobic Disorders / diagnosis*
  • Phobic Disorders / psychology
  • Polyethylene Glycols / administration & dosage*
  • Recombinant Proteins / administration & dosage
  • Ribavirin / administration & dosage*
  • Risk Assessment
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Interferon alpha-2
  • Interferon-alpha
  • Recombinant Proteins
  • Polyethylene Glycols
  • Ribavirin
  • peginterferon alfa-2b