A patient is taking isoniazid for the treatment of active tuberculosis and nurse know that its side effects of peripheral neuritis and instruct the patient for taking?

Appeared in: NORCET 9 Mains - 2025

Explanation

Isoniazid (INH), a primary antitubercular drug, can cause peripheral neuritis as a side effect.
This neurotoxicity occurs because isoniazid interferes with the metabolism of pyridoxine (Vitamin B6), leading to its deficiency.
Supplementing with Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine) is the standard of care to prevent or treat this adverse effect.
Symptoms of isoniazid-induced peripheral neuritis include numbness, tingling, and burning sensations in the hands and feet.

Option B: Vitamin B12 deficiency is associated with pernicious anemia and neurological issues like subacute combined degeneration of the spinal cord, not directly with isoniazid therapy.
Option C: Vitamin B1 (Thiamine) deficiency causes Beriberi and Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome, conditions most commonly seen in individuals with chronic alcoholism.
Option D: Vitamin A is crucial for vision and immune health. Its deficiency leads to conditions like night blindness and is unrelated to the neurological side effects of isoniazid.

Visual 1: Diagram - A simple diagram showing the chemical structures of Isoniazid and Pyridoxine side-by-side to illustrate their similarity, which is the basis for the drug's interference.
Visual 2: Flowchart - A flowchart outlining the nursing assessment for a patient starting Isoniazid, including checking risk factors for neuropathy, patient education on symptoms, and the intervention of co-administering Vitamin B6.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: Use the key finding related to Pharmacological management of Isoniazid side effects to guide bedside assessment, documentation, and the next nursing action.
A key nursing responsibility is patient education. When a patient starts isoniazid, the nurse must explain the importance of taking pyridoxine to prevent nerve damage.
Early identification of peripheral neuritis (asking about tingling or numbness) is crucial for patient safety and comfort.
What if the patient is also a chronic alcoholic? The risk for both hepatotoxicity and peripheral neuropathy from isoniazid is significantly higher. In this case, pyridoxine supplementation is mandatory, not just recommended, and liver function must be monitored even more closely.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the drug in the question: Isoniazid.
Recall the key side effects associated with this drug. For Isoniazid, peripheral neuritis and hepatotoxicity are major concerns.
Focus on the specific side effect mentioned: peripheral neuritis.
Connect the side effect to its underlying cause. Isoniazid causes a functional deficiency of a specific vitamin.
Select the option that directly addresses this deficiency. Isoniazid interferes with Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine).
Therefore, supplementing with Vitamin B6 is the correct nursing instruction.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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