A nurse is reviewing the medical record of a client who has pneumonia. Which of the following serum laboratory values should the nurse expect?

The priority intervention for the nurse is to determine whether the client has an allergy to local anesthetics, as this could cause a serious adverse reaction during the procedure.

Thoracentesis is a minimally invasive procedure that involves inserting a needle into the pleural space to drain excess fluid or air from around the lungs. The procedure requires local anesthesia to numb the area where the needle is inserted. Therefore, it is essential to assess for any allergy to local anesthetics before proceeding with the procedure.

The correct answer is Choice B.

Choice A rationale: This choice suggests that the provider will prescribe a different medication regimen. However, this is not necessarily the case. Rifampin is a first-line medication for tuberculosis and its side effects, including the discoloration of body fluids, are well-known and expected. Therefore, it is unlikely that the provider would change the medication regimen solely based on this side effect.

Choice B rationale: This is the correct answer. Rifampin, an antibiotic used to treat tuberculosis, can cause a harmless red-orange discoloration of body fluids, including urine, sweat, tears, and saliva. This is an expected side effect of the medication and does not indicate any harm or toxicity. It is important for the nurse to reassure the client that this is a normal occurrence and does not require any changes to the medication regimen.

Choice C rationale: This choice suggests that the red-orange discoloration of the client’s saliva may indicate possible medication toxicity. However, this is not accurate. While rifampin can have serious side effects, including liver damage and severe gastrointestinal upset, the discoloration of body fluids is not a sign of toxicity. It is a harmless side effect of the medication.

Choice D rationale: This choice suggests that the client will need to increase her fluid intake to resolve the problem. However, increasing fluid intake will not change the discoloration caused by rifampin. The discoloration is a result of the medication itself and is not influenced by the client’s hydration status.