Rifampin therapy is known to cause discoloration of bodily fluids; which statement is correct?

• A. Urine, saliva, tears, and sputum may discolor
• B. Sweat and tears may discolor
• C. Urine may darken but tears do not discolor
• D. Stool color changes but urine remains normal

Answer: (A)

Rifampin has a pigmented component that turns many body fluids an orange-red color during therapy. This harmless discoloration helps illustrate how the drug is excreted into different secretions.

The statement that urine, saliva, tears, and sputum may discolor is the best answer because these fluids commonly take on the orange hue with rifampin use. Patients often notice orange urine, and tears, saliva, and sputum can also darken.

The other options are incomplete or incorrect because they describe discoloration in only some fluids (sweat and tears) or misstate that tears do not discolor, or claim stool changes while urine stays normal. In practice, urine discoloration is typical and tears can discolor as well, with several other secretions potentially affected.