In providing care to a patient admitted with an acute asthma exacerbation, the nurse prepares which "rescue" medication for administration first?

A. Insomnia is not a common side effect of rifampin. While individual responses to medications can vary, the typical side effects of rifampin do not generally include sleep disturbances. More common side effects include gastrointestinal upset, rash, and liver enzyme changes.
B. The treatment duration for rifampin in the context of active tuberculosis is typically much longer than 1 month. Standard therapy often lasts for at least 6 months and may vary depending on the specific treatment regimen and patient response.
C. Rifampin is generally recommended to be taken on an empty stomach, either 1 hour before or 2 hours after meals, to enhance absorption. Taking it with food may reduce its effectiveness. This information is crucial for ensuring the medication works optimally.
D. One of the notable side effects of rifampin is that it can cause urine, sweat, tears, and other bodily secretions to turn a reddish-orange color. This is harmless but important for the patient to be aware of, as it can cause concern or confusion regarding potential blood in urine or other secretions.

A. Rhonchi are abnormal lung sounds that result from obstruction or secretions in larger airways. They are more commonly associated with conditions like chronic bronchitis or COPD rather than tuberculosis. While TB can lead to various lung sounds, rhonchi are not a hallmark of the disease.
B. Weight gain is generally not associated with tuberculosis. In fact, TB often leads to weight loss due to factors like loss of appetite, increased metabolic demand, and systemic effects of the infection. Patients with active TB frequently present with cachexia (wasting) or weight loss, not weight gain.
C. Hemoptysis, or coughing up blood, is a significant and classic symptom associated with tuberculosis, especially in cases involving pulmonary TB. It occurs due to the erosion of blood vessels in the lungs as the disease progresses. This makes it a strong correlating finding with a diagnosis of tuberculosis.
D. Frothy sputum is more characteristic of pulmonary edema or conditions such as congestive heart failure. In tuberculosis, sputum may be mucoid or purulent and sometimes contains blood, but it is not typically described as frothy.