A client may experience an acute exacerbation of hepatitis B if therapy is stopped. True or false?

The statement is true because discontinuing antiviral therapy for hepatitis B can lead to an acute exacerbation of the disease. Antiviral medications, such as nucleos(t)ide analogs, are used to suppress the replication of the hepatitis B virus and help maintain liver function. When these medications are abruptly stopped, it can create an environment within the body that allows the virus to reactivate and multiply, potentially leading to a significant increase in liver inflammation and damage. This can manifest as a flare or exacerbation of hepatitis B symptoms, which may require prompt medical management to address the resultant liver injury. Therefore, continuous monitoring and a carefully managed withdrawal of therapy are essential for patients undergoing treatment for hepatitis B.