What should be monitored regularly for clients on rifampin to prevent liver toxicity?

Rifampin is an antibiotic commonly used to treat tuberculosis and other bacterial infections. One of the significant side effects of rifampin is its potential to cause hepatotoxicity, leading to liver damage. Therefore, it is critical to monitor liver enzyme levels regularly in patients taking this medication. Elevated liver enzymes, such as alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST), can indicate liver stress or damage and prompt intervention to prevent further complications.

While monitoring kidney function tests, chest X-rays, and complete blood counts can be important in other contexts, they do not specifically address the risk of liver toxicity associated with rifampin. Kidney function tests are more relevant when considering nephrotoxic medications, chest X-rays are typically used to monitor pulmonary conditions, and a complete blood count is useful for assessing overall blood health but does not provide specific information about liver function. Hence, focusing on liver enzyme levels is essential for safe management of patients prescribed rifampin.