A home health nurse enters a client's home and finds a used insulin syringe, without a cap, on the table. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?

Choice A reason: A client who has BPH and reports dysuria is not the highest priority, because dysuria is a common symptom of BPH and does not indicate an acute complication. The nurse should monitor the client's urinary output and provide comfort measures.

Choice B reason: A client who has ulcerative colitis and reports diarrhea is not the highest priority, because diarrhea is a chronic symptom of ulcerative colitis and does not indicate an acute complication. The nurse should assess the client's hydration status and electrolyte levels and administer medications as prescribed.

Choice C reason: A client who has emphysema and reports dyspnea is the highest priority, because dyspnea is a sign of respiratory distress and can indicate an acute exacerbation of emphysema. The nurse should assess the client's oxygen saturation and respiratory rate and administer oxygen therapy as prescribed.

Choice D reason: A client who has esophageal cancer and reports painful swallowing is not the highest priority, because painful swallowing is a common symptom of esophageal cancer and does not indicate an acute complication. The nurse should provide the client with soft or liquid foods and administer analgesics as prescribed.

Choice A reason: This is the correct finding, because rifampin is an antibiotic that can cause red-orange discoloration of urine, saliva, sweat, tears, and other body fluids. This is a harmless and expected adverse effect of rifampin, and does not indicate any damage to the kidneys or liver. The client should be informed about this effect and advised to wear soft contact lenses, as rifampin can stain them permanently.

Choice B reason: This is an incorrect finding, because increased ecchymosis, or bruising, is not a harmless or expected adverse effect of rifampin, but a sign of bleeding disorder or thrombocytopenia, which is a rare but serious complication of rifampin. Rifampin can interfere with the synthesis of vitamin K, which is essential for blood clotting, and cause bleeding problems. The client should report any signs of bleeding, such as ecchymosis, petechiae, hematuria, or epistaxis, to the provider.

Choice C reason: This is an incorrect finding, because yellow appearance of the sclerae, or jaundice, is not a harmless or expected adverse effect of rifampin, but a sign of liver damage or hepatitis, which is a rare but serious complication of rifampin. Rifampin can cause inflammation and injury to the liver cells, and impair the metabolism and excretion of bilirubin, which is a yellow pigment that accumulates in the skin and eyes when the liver is damaged. The client should report any signs of liver dysfunction, such as jaundice, dark urine, pale stools, or abdominal pain, to the provider.

Choice D reason: This is an incorrect finding, because lack of energy, or fatigue, is not a harmless or expected adverse effect of rifampin, but a sign of anemia or hypothyroidism, which are rare but serious complications of rifampin. Rifampin can cause hemolytic anemia, which is a condition that occurs when the red blood cells are destroyed faster than they are produced, and hypothyroidism, which is a condition that occurs when the thyroid gland produces insufficient thyroid hormone. The client should report any signs of anemia or hypothyroidism, such as fatigue, weakness, pallor, or cold intolerance, to the provider.