# A nurse is caring for a patient with active pulmonary tuberculosis who has been receiving first-line combination therapy for 3 weeks. Which assessment finding would be the most critical priority requiring immediate intervention?

> source: MyMerci (mymerci.kr)  
> url: https://mymerci.kr/pages/nclex_q.php?qn_id=541360  
> language: ko  
> subject: Adult Health

## 문제

A nurse is caring for a patient with active pulmonary tuberculosis who has been receiving first-line combination therapy for 3 weeks. Which assessment finding would be the most critical priority requiring immediate intervention?

## 보기

1. New onset of visual disturbances with color vision changes **✔ 정답**
2. Persistent nausea with decreased appetite and weight loss
3. Orange-colored urine and tears with mild itching
4. Fatigue and mild joint pain with low-grade fever

**정답: 1**

## 해설

Visual disturbances with color vision changes indicate ethambutol toxicity requiring immediate discontinuation to prevent permanent vision loss. Other options (nausea, orange urine, fatigue) are common, manageable side effects of TB therapy.

## 심화 해설

Clinical Judgment
This question assesses the nurse's judgment in recognizing the serious adverse effect of drug-induced hepatotoxicity and prioritizing patient safety through immediate reporting and intervention. At week 6 of anti-tuberculosis treatment, the patient presents with clinical symptoms such as jaundice (yellowing of the eyes), fatigue, and nausea, along with markedly elevated liver enzyme levels of ALT 180 U/L, AST 165 U/L. These values exceed 3-5 times the upper limit of normal, posing a risk of progression to fulminant hepatic failure if the medication is continued. Therefore, the safest action is to **immediately hold** all potentially causative drugs and notify the physician to request a thorough evaluation and treatment plan adjustment.

Memory Tip
**H**epatotoxicity from **T**B drugs? **H**old all, **T**ell the doctor! Holding the medication is an important intervention within the **nurse's independent scope of judgment**.

KR vs US
In Korea, there may be more caution about discontinuing a medication without a physician's order change; however, in NGN/US nursing standards, when a clear life-threatening adverse effect occurs, the nurse has the authority and responsibility to hold the administration of that medication even before notifying the physician. 'Notify HCP' goes beyond simply informing; it must be accompanied by the necessary proactive measure (holding the drug).

## 임상 시나리오

Clinical Guide: Managing Suspected Ethambutol Ocular Toxicity

**Priority:** Any visual complaint in a patient on ethambutol is an ophthalmic emergency. Immediate action prevents irreversible blindness.

Immediate Nursing Actions

- **Hold the Drug:** Immediately withhold ethambutol and notify the prescribing provider. Do not wait for ophthalmology confirmation.

- **Focused Assessment:** Perform a brief, targeted assessment. Ask about onset, progression, and specific changes in color vision (especially red-green). Document baseline visual acuity if a Snellen chart is available.

- **Reassure and Educate:** Calmly explain to the patient why the medication is being stopped and that prompt action is crucial to protect their sight.

Key Clinical Pearls

- **Differentiate Expected vs. Pathologic Findings:** Orange-red bodily fluids from rifampin are harmless and expected. Visual changes are never an expected side effect and must always be investigated.

- **Baseline and Monitoring:** All patients starting ethambutol should have a baseline visual exam. Monthly questioning about visual changes is standard, with formal testing for those on prolonged therapy or with renal impairment.

- **High-Risk Patients:** The risk of optic neuropathy is higher with prolonged use (>2 months), higher doses, and in patients with renal insufficiency due to decreased drug excretion.

Documentation and Reporting

- Document the exact time the symptom was reported, the specific complaint (e.g., "reports difficulty distinguishing red from green"), the time ethambutol was held, and the provider notified.

- Report the adverse event through the appropriate pharmacovigilance channels per facility policy.

## 핵심 개념

- **Ethambutol** — First-line antituberculosis drug. The major serious side effect is optic neuritis, which can cause color vision abnormalities (red-green color blindness) and decreased visual acuity.
- **Optic Neuritis** — Inflammation of the optic nerve. A major toxicity of ethambutol, which can cause permanent vision loss if early detection and discontinuation of the drug are delayed.
- **RIPE Therapy** — Initial standard treatment regimen for active tuberculosis. It refers to a combination of four drugs: Rifampin, Isoniazid, Pyrazinamide, and Ethambutol.
- **Color Vision Disturbance** — Color vision abnormality. An early warning sign of ethambutol toxicity, particularly a decreased ability to distinguish between red and green.
- **Active Pulmonary Tuberculosis** — Active pulmonary tuberculosis. A condition with active infection and symptoms (cough, fever, weight loss, etc.) in the lungs caused by airborne tuberculosis bacteria. Requires isolation and multi-drug antituberculosis treatment.

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