Questions: A nurse is caring for a client who has been taking isoniazid and rifampin for 3 weeks for the treatment of active pulmonary tuberculosis (TB). The client reports his urine is an orange color. Which of the following statements should the nurse make? "Stop taking the isoniazid for 3 days and the discoloration should go away." "Rifampin can turn body fluids orange." "I'll make an appointment for you to see the provider this afternoon." "Isoniazid can cause bladder irritation."

The answer is the second one: "Rifampin can turn body fluids orange."

Explanation for each option:

1. "Stop taking the isoniazid for 3 days and the discoloration should go away."

   • This is incorrect. Discontinuing isoniazid without medical advice is not recommended, as it can compromise the treatment of tuberculosis. Additionally, isoniazid is not known to cause orange discoloration of body fluids.

2. "Rifampin can turn body fluids orange."

   • This is correct. Rifampin is known to cause a harmless side effect of turning body fluids, such as urine, sweat, and tears, an orange or reddish color. This is a well-documented and expected side effect of the medication.

3. "I'll make an appointment for you to see the provider this afternoon."

   • This is incorrect. While it is always good to consult a healthcare provider if there are concerns, the orange discoloration of urine due to rifampin is a known and harmless side effect. Immediate medical consultation is not necessary solely for this reason.

4. "Isoniazid can cause bladder irritation."

   • This is incorrect. Isoniazid is not typically associated with bladder irritation or causing orange discoloration of urine. The side effects of isoniazid are different and do not include this symptom.

Summary: The nurse should inform the client that "Rifampin can turn body fluids orange," as this is a common and harmless side effect of the medication.