A 79-year-old patient is receiving a quinolone for treatment of a complicated incision infection.
For which adverse effect associated with these drugs should the nurse monitor?

Choice A rationale:

Aspirin is known as a salicylate and a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). It works by blocking a certain natural substance in your body to reduce pain and swelling. However, one of the key reasons aspirin is administered to a patient with a history of myocardial infarction (MI) is due to its antiplatelet aggregate properties. This effect reduces the risk of stroke and heart attack. If a patient has recently had surgery on clogged arteries (such as bypass surgery, carotid endarterectomy, coronary stent), doctors may direct them to use aspirin in low doses as a “blood thinner” to prevent blood clots.

Choice B rationale:

While aspirin does have analgesic properties, meaning it can relieve mild to moderate pain from conditions such as muscle aches, toothaches, common cold, and headaches, this is not the primary reason it would be administered to a patient with a history of MI. The main goal in this context is to prevent further cardiac events, which is achieved through aspirin’s antiplatelet effects.

Choice C rationale:

Aspirin does have anti-inflammatory properties and it may be used to reduce pain and swelling in conditions such as arthritis. However, in the context of a patient with a history of MI, the anti-inflammatory property is not the primary reason for administering aspirin. The key purpose is to leverage its antiplatelet effects to prevent further cardiac events.

Choice D rationale:

Aspirin can be used to reduce fever, which is what the term ‘antipyretic’ refers to. However, similar to the analgesic and antiinflammatory properties, the antipyretic property is not the primary reason for administering aspirin to a patient with a history of MI. The main goal is to prevent further cardiac events through its antiplatelet effects.

Choice A rationale:

Rifampin Rifampin is an antitubercular drug that is effective against all strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. It works by inhibiting the synthesis of RNA in the bacteria, preventing them from reproducing. However, it does not typically cause a decrease in visual acuity.

Choice B rationale:

Ethambutol Ethambutol is an antitubercular drug that can cause ocular toxicity in the form of visual field changes. It is known to induce toxic optic neuropathy, which is quite common and can lead to a decrease in visual acuity. Patients on Ethambutol therapy are advised to report any changes in visual acuity or eye discomfort immediately to their healthcare provider.

Choice C rationale:

Streptomycin Streptomycin is an aminoglycoside antibiotic used in the treatment of tuberculosis. It works by inhibiting protein synthesis in bacteria. While it can cause side effects such as ototoxicity and nephrotoxicity, it is not typically associated with a decrease in visual acuity.

Choice D rationale:

Isoniazid Isoniazid is a first-line antitubercular drug that works by inhibiting the synthesis of mycolic acids in the cell wall of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. While it can cause peripheral neuropathy, it is not typically associated with a decrease in visual acuity.