Acute renal failure secondary to Acyclovir treatment for herpes zoster in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus: report of two cases

Abstract

Case description: Two cases of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus with herpes zoster recurrence, who develop acute renal failure secondary to treatment with intravenous acyclovir, have been studied. Description of the care plan: The care plan was aimed at addressing the altered needs according to the Virginia Henderson classification. These altered needs were the need for elimination, hygiene and skin integrity, pain and mobilisation. The NANDA taxonomy was applied for the nursing care process. Evaluation of the plan: After applying the nursing care process, renal function was improved, skin integrity was restored, infections were avoided due to skin lesions caused by herpes zoster, pain was controlled, and the mobility of the left arm of one of the patients suffering from paresis was improved. Conclusions: Close monitoring by nursing staff of patients treated with acyclovir is necessary, especially those with chronic underlying pathologies, such as systemic lupus erythematosus in relapses with herpes zoster, in order to prevent adverse events associated with the drug.