Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Certification 2025 – 400 Free Practice Questions to Pass the Exam

The correct choice highlights that ibuprofen is not primarily used for the pharmacological management of shingles. Shingles, or herpes zoster, is caused by the reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus, and the mainstay of treatment includes antiviral medications. Acyclovir, valacyclovir, and famciclovir are all antiviral agents specifically indicated to reduce the severity and duration of shingles. These medications work effectively against the herpes virus and are critical in managing viral replication and associated symptoms.

Ibuprofen, while it may be used to alleviate pain and inflammation associated with shingles, does not target the underlying viral infection. As a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), ibuprofen may help with symptomatic relief, but it does not have antiviral properties. Consequently, it is not classified under the main pharmacological treatments for shingles. Thus, it is accurate to identify ibuprofen as not commonly used in the direct pharmacological management of shingles, particularly when compared to the antiviral medications that are essential in therapy.