Practice Question
What is an important aspect of patient teaching for individuals taking rifampin? (Select All that Apply.)
Answer Choices:
Correct Answer:
There is an expected orange color of urine, saliva, sweat and tears
Rationale:
“There is an expected orange color of urine, saliva, sweat and tears.”
🧪 Rifampin commonly causes orange or red-orange discoloration of body fluids, including urine, saliva, sweat, and tears.
🧪 This effect is harmless and expected, but it can be alarming to clients if they are not warned ahead of time.
🧪 The nurse should explain that this color change does not indicate bleeding or organ damage, but is simply a drug effect.
🧪 Clients who wear contact lenses should be told that rifampin can permanently stain soft lenses, so glasses may be preferred.
🧪 Clear teaching about body fluid discoloration improves medication adherence and prevents unnecessary anxiety.
“Monitor liver function while taking rifampin.”
🧪 Rifampin is hepatotoxic, meaning it can cause liver inflammation or injury, especially when combined with other hepatotoxic drugs (e.g., isoniazid, alcohol).
🧪 Clients taking rifampin should have liver function tests (LFTs) monitored periodically, especially AST, ALT, and bilirubin.
🧪 The nurse should teach the client to report signs of liver problems, such as jaundice, dark urine, fatigue, or right upper quadrant pain.
🧪 Early detection of elevated liver enzymes allows the provider to adjust or discontinue the drug before serious damage occurs.
🧪 Emphasizing liver monitoring helps keep TB treatment effective and safe over the long course of therapy.
“Consume alcohol in moderation while taking rifampin.”
🧪 Because rifampin is hepatotoxic, combining it with alcohol significantly increases the risk of liver damage.
🧪 Clients should be taught to avoid alcohol, not to use it “in moderation,” while on rifampin therapy.
“Skip doses if experiencing gastrointestinal upset.”
🧪 Skipping doses of rifampin can lead to treatment failure and drug resistance, especially in tuberculosis therapy.
🧪 GI upset should be reported so the provider can adjust the regimen, not managed by self-stopping doses.
“Crush the medication and mix it with food or beverage.”
🧪 Many rifampin formulations are meant to be swallowed whole, and altering them can affect absorption or stability.
🧪 Clients should follow the exact administration instructions on timing and form (often on an empty stomach) rather than crushing without guidance.
Want to practice more questions like this?
This question is from Custom VN230 Pharmacology Quiz 7 which contains 21 questions.
More Questions from This Exam
What is the primary use of nystatin?
Answer Choices:
A nurse is reviewing the medical record of a client who has hypertension and a new prescription for metoprolol. Which of the following findings should the nurse investigate further?
Answer Choices:
A nurse is assisting with the care of a client on a medical-surgical unit.
Answer Choices:
What is an indication for the use of guaifenesin?
Answer Choices:
What is a therapeutic effect of theophylline?
Answer Choices:
Question Details
- Category: RN Nursing Exam(s)
- Subcategory: ATI Exam(s)
- Domain: RN ATI Pharmacology
- Answer Choices: 5