Final answer:
The client at risk for optic neuritis is the one prescribed ethambutol, a medication known to cause this side effect during tuberculosis treatment.
Step-by-step explanation:
The client at risk for optic neuritis as a side effect of tuberculosis (TB) treatment is the one receiving ethambutol. In TB treatment regimens, ethambutol is known to cause optic neuritis, which can lead to symptoms such as vision changes or loss of vision. To determine which client is at risk, we would need to know the specific medications each client is taking. The drugs commonly used in TB treatment include isoniazid, rifampin, ethambutol, and pyrazinamide. Since isoniazid and rifampin are mentioned in the clinical focus and do not typically cause optic neuritis, the client taking ethambutol would be the one at risk.
The extended treatment duration for TB, often three months or more, is due to the chronic nature of the disease and the need for prolonged therapy to effectively eliminate the Mycobacterium tuberculosis bacterium. Chemotherapeutic treatments need to be carefully managed to prevent the development of resistant strains such as MDR-TB and XDR-TB. Thus, proper multidrug protocols are imperative for successful treatment and control of the disease.