Final answer:
The combination of drugs in TB treatment is used to effectively manage the infection and prevent drug resistance. Adherence to the full course is vital to avoid recurrent TB infections. DOT can be employed to ensure patient compliance with treatment.
Step-by-step explanation:
A client with tuberculosis (TB) is receiving a combination of drugs such as isoniazid, rifampin, ethambutol, and pyrazinamide during the initial phase and may wonder why multiple medications are necessary. The primary reason is to effectively treat the infection and to minimize the risk of development of drug-resistant TB strains. Antibiotic resistance is a significant concern; improper treatment can lead to multidrug-resistant TB (MDR-TB) or extensively drug-resistant TB (XDR-TB). It's crucial for patients to adhere to the prescribed regimen for the full duration to prevent recurrence of the infection and to avert the selection for drug-resistant strains.
The importance of adherence is underscored by the fact that while antibiotics may relieve symptoms in a short time, terminating treatment prematurely increases the incidence of recurrence. In certain cases, directly observed therapy (DOT) may be recommended to ensure compliance. Ultimately, the goal of the multidrug protocol is to achieve clinical cure while minimizing side effects, taking into account various factors such as patient's mass, and liver or kidney function that affect drug metabolism.