A patient is about to begin treatment for latent tuberculosis ...

[jlmhmf]

A patient is about to begin treatment for latent tuberculosis with a short course of daily rifampin. The patient asks why rifapentine (Priftin) cannot be used, because it can be given twice weekly.
 
  What will the nurse tell this patient about rifapentine?
  a. It is more toxic than rifampin.
  b. It is not approved for treatment of latent TB.
  c. It is not well absorbed and thus not as effective.
  d. It will stain contact lenses orange.

Question 2

A patient who is being treated for HIV infection has a 5-mm area of induration after a routine TST. The patient's chest radiograph is normal, and there are no other physical findings. The nurse will expect this patient to begin treatment with which drugs?
 
  a. Isoniazid and rifabutin
  b. Isoniazid and rifampin
  c. Isoniazid and rifapentine
  d. Isoniazid and pyrazinamide

[miss_1456@hotmail.com]

Answer to Question 1

ANS: B
Rifapentine is indicated only for pulmonary TB. Rifapentine's toxicity is similar to that of rifampin. Rifapentine is well absorbed. Both drugs stain contact lenses.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: A
Rifabutin is used off-label as an alternative to rifampin to treat TB in patients with HIV, because it has less impact on the metabolism of protease inhibitors. The effects of rifapentine on protease inhibitors is similar to those of rifampin. Pyrazinamide is not indicated.

[jlmhmf]

Thanks for the timely response, appreciate it

[emsimon14]

TYSM