Family Nurse Practitioner Practice Exam

A patient who tests positive for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) indicates an active hepatitis B virus infection. The presence of HBsAg suggests that the virus is currently replicating, and the individual may be infectious. The negative anti-HBV (anti-hepatitis B virus antibodies) indicates that the patient does not have immunity against the virus, meaning they have neither cleared the infection nor been vaccinated against it.

Given this situation, the most appropriate course of action is to provide the patient with hepatitis B vaccination along with hepatitis B immunoglobulin (HBIG). The vaccination will help stimulate the immune system to produce an immune response against the virus, potentially helping to prevent further infection from the virus. The immunoglobulin offers immediate passive immunity and is particularly important for those who might be exposed to hepatitis B, providing a prompt but temporary defense while the vaccine takes effect.

In summary, this patient requires both the hepatitis B vaccine and HBIG due to the active infection coupled with the absence of immunity observed in the anti-HBV test results.