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Human Genetic Variations Medications

Purpose

The purpose of this assignment is for students to discuss how human genetic variations impact pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of drugs and the application for use in the clinical setting.

Activity Learning Outcomes

Through this discussion, the student will demonstrate the ability to:

1. Explain how pharmacogenomics is currently applied to clinical practice (CO 3,4,5).
2. Discuss the limitations of pharmacogenomics testing (CO 3,4,5).
3. Discuss ethical concerns related to pharmacogenomics testing and treatment (CO 3,4,5).

Requirements:

In your post, respond to the following scenario (Hint: use the pharmgkb website to guide your responses):

1. Before initiating abacavir, an anti-retroviral, for a newly diagnosed HIV positive patient the nurse practitioner orders HLA-B*5701 allele genetic testing. The test confirms that the patient carries the HLA-B*5701 allele.
   1. Describe what these results mean.
   2. Should the nurse practitioner prescribe abacavir in this case? If not, state why.
2. A patient is prescribed antiplatelet therapy (clopidogrel) following an acute myocardial infarction (MI). Six months later, the patient suffers another acute MI. The patient has been adherent to therapy and the nurse practitioner suspects that clopidrogel may have been ineffective. How might genetic testing have been beneficial in this case?
3. Identify 2 limitations of pharmacogenomics testing. Explain.
4. Identify 2 ethical concerns of using pharmacogenomics testing. Explain.

* Textbooks, non-US journals, nursing journals not intended for advanced practice providers or websites intended for the general public are not considered scholarly.