Question

A client has begun a course of therapy with rifampin. The home care nurse instructs the client on which measure due to an anticipated side effect?

1) Wear dark clothing to avoid staining.
2) Always take the medication with food or antacids.
3) Double the next medication dose if one is forgotten.
4) Stop the medication if symptoms disappear in 2 months.

Answer 1

The home care nurse should instruct the client to wear dark clothing to avoid staining from the common side effect of red-orange discoloration of body fluids caused by rifampin. It's crucial to adhere to the full medication regimen to prevent antibiotic resistance and properly treat tuberculosis.

Step-by-step explanation:

A client has begun a course of therapy with rifampin. The home care nurse instructs the client on which measure due to an anticipated side effect? The correct instruction among the options is to wear dark clothing to avoid staining. This is because rifampin can cause a harmless but notable side effect of red-orange discoloration of body fluids, such as urine, sweat, and tears, which can stain clothing and contact lenses. It's important to counsel patients about this side effect to reduce concern and increase adherence to the medication regimen.

Other critical points to include when educating a patient about rifampin and TB treatment include the importance of adherence to the medication regimen even after symptoms improve, since nonadherence can lead to antibiotic resistance and failure to completely eradicate the infection. Patients should not double the dose if they miss one, and they should not stop the medication course prematurely without consulting their healthcare provider. Rifampin is often used in combination with other medications like isoniazid to treat tuberculosis and prevent the development of drug-resistant strains.