The nurse is preparing to use an antiseptic. Which statement is correct regarding how antiseptics differ from disinfectants?

Choice A reason: Oral decongestants like pseudoephedrine are not inherently more potent than nasal sprays like oxymetazoline. Both stimulate alpha-adrenergic receptors to constrict nasal blood vessels, but nasal sprays often provide more rapid, localized relief. Potency depends on dose and delivery, not route, making this incorrect.

Choice B reason: Oral decongestants do not have an immediate onset. They require absorption through the gastrointestinal tract, with effects starting in 30-60 minutes. Nasal sprays act within minutes due to direct mucosal application, making them faster for acute sinus symptom relief, unlike slower-acting oral forms.

Choice C reason: Oral decongestants typically have a longer duration of action (4-6 hours for pseudoephedrine) compared to nasal sprays (often shorter unless long-acting). Shorter duration is not a benefit, as prolonged relief is preferred for sinus congestion, making this an incorrect advantage of oral administration.

Choice D reason: Oral decongestants avoid rebound congestion, a common issue with nasal sprays like oxymetazoline, which can cause rhinitis medicamentosa with prolonged use. Oral agents like pseudoephedrine act systemically, reducing nasal congestion without local dependence, making them safer for extended use without worsening symptoms upon discontinuation.

Choice A reason: Headache and nervousness are not significant adverse effects of antitubercular drugs like isoniazid or rifampin. These symptoms are nonspecific and less concerning than neurotoxicity. Antitubercular drugs primarily affect the liver, nerves, or blood, making neurological symptoms like numbness more critical to report.

Choice B reason: Numbness and tingling of extremities indicate peripheral neuropathy, a serious adverse effect of isoniazid, which depletes pyridoxine (vitamin B6), impairing nerve function. This requires immediate reporting to adjust therapy or add pyridoxine supplementation, preventing irreversible nerve damage while continuing effective tuberculosis treatment.

Choice C reason: Reddish-orange urine and stool are expected effects of rifampin, which is metabolized to a red-orange compound excreted in bodily fluids. This is harmless and does not require reporting unless accompanied by other symptoms like jaundice, which could indicate hepatotoxicity, a more serious concern.

Choice D reason: Gastrointestinal upset is common with antitubercular drugs like rifampin or pyrazinamide but is not typically severe enough to warrant immediate reporting unless persistent or accompanied by signs of hepatotoxicity. Numbness is a more concerning neurological effect, requiring prompt prescriber notification to prevent complications.