A nurse is reinforcing teaching with a postpartum client about bathing her newborn.

Which of the following statements should the nurse include?

When a client with active pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) receives appropriate treatment and their sputum cultures consistently show negative results for Mycobacterium tuberculosis, it indicates that the client is no longer contagious. Negative sputum cultures indicate that the infectious bacteria are no longer present or viable in the respiratory secretions, reducing the risk of transmitting the disease to others.

"You will need an annual TB skin test to see if the infection has returned": While it is important for individuals with a history of TB to undergo periodic screening, such as an annual TB skin test or interferon-gamma release assay (IGRA), to detect latent TB infection or potential reactivation, this response is not specifically related to a client with active pulmonary TB.

"You will take medication to treat your illness for the rest of your life": This response is incorrect because active pulmonary TB is typically treated with a combination of antimicrobial medications for a specific duration, usually ranging from 6 to 9 months. It is not a lifelong treatment.

However, individuals with latent TB infection may require longer-term treatment to prevent the development of active TB disease.

"You can expect the medications to turn your urine a blue-green color": This response is incorrect as medications used to treat TB do not typically cause urine discoloration. Medications such as rifampin can cause various side effects, including orange discoloration of bodily fluids like urine, tears, or sweat, but a blue-green color is not associated with TB medications.

Answer: B. Elevated skin patches

Rationale:

A. Constipation:
Constipation is not a typical adverse effect of cefazolin. Antibiotics generally cause gastrointestinal symptoms like diarrhea rather than constipation, so this is not a primary concern with cefazolin therapy.

B. Elevated skin patches:
Elevated skin patches may indicate an allergic reaction, such as hives or a rash, which can be a serious side effect of cefazolin. Allergic reactions to antibiotics can escalate quickly and may require immediate medical attention. Monitoring for and reporting any skin changes is important to prevent potential complications.

C. Ringing in the ears:
Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) is not commonly associated with cefazolin. This symptom is more frequently associated with certain other antibiotics, such as aminoglycosides, but is not a primary concern with cefazolin use.

D. Depression:
Depression is not a known side effect of cefazolin. While mood changes may be seen with some medications, cefazolin’s primary side effects are related to hypersensitivity reactions and gastrointestinal symptoms.