Question

The nurse is preparing for discharge followup on a client with hepatitis A. Which plan would the nurse include to prevent the family from contracting hepatitis A from the client? A. Emphasize the need for good hand-washing and personal hygiene B. Inform the family to place the client in isolation C. Avoid contact with the client's blood D. Tell the client to wear a mask at all times

Short answer

Answer: The best plan is to emphasize the need for good hand-washing and personal hygiene.

Step-by-step solution

Understand Hepatitis A Transmission

Hepatitis A is a viral infection that affects the liver. It is transmitted primarily through the ingestion of contaminated food or water, or through close personal contact with an infected person. It is important to know how it is spread to choose the most effective prevention method.

Evaluate Option A

Option A is to emphasize the need for good hand-washing and personal hygiene. As hepatitis A is transmitted primarily through contaminated food or water or through close personal contact with an infected person, good hand-washing and personal hygiene are essential in preventing the spread of the infection. This option is likely the best choice, but let's evaluate the other options as well.

Evaluate Option B

Option B is to inform the family to place the client in isolation. While this may help in preventing the immediate spread of the infection during the highly contagious phase, it is not a practical long-term solution and may not be necessary since hepatitis A is not an airborne disease. Thus, other prevention methods would be more appropriate.

Evaluate Option C

Option C is to avoid contact with the client's blood. While it is generally a good practice to avoid contact with another person's blood, hepatitis A is not primarily spread through blood. It is mainly transmitted through contaminated food or water or close personal contact, so focusing on blood exposure would not be the best prevention method.

Evaluate Option D

Option D is to tell the client to wear a mask at all times. Hepatitis A is not an airborne disease, and wearing a mask would not help to prevent the spread of the infection. It would be an unnecessary measure in this case.

Choose the Best Option

Based on the analysis of the four options, Option A - emphasizing the need for good hand-washing and personal hygiene - is the most effective method to prevent the family from contracting hepatitis A from the client.

Key concepts

Transmission of Hepatitis A

Hepatitis A is a contagious viral infection that primarily affects the liver. It spreads when a person ingests food or water that has been contaminated by small, undetectable amounts of fecal matter from an infected person. Close personal contact, such as caring for someone who is sick, also poses a risk. The virus can survive for months in fresh and salt water and on a variety of surfaces, making it quite pervasive. Understanding how Hepatitis A is transmitted is crucial for adopting effective prevention strategies. By recognizing that it is not transmitted through respiratory droplets or blood, you can focus on the most relevant methods to prevent its spread, like maintaining good hygiene practices.

Good Hand-Washing Practices

Hand-washing is one of the most effective ways to prevent the spread of infections, including Hepatitis A. It involves using soap and clean water to wash all parts of the hands, such as the back of the hands, between the fingers, and under the nails, for at least 20 seconds.
It’s particularly important to wash your hands:

• After using the bathroom
• Before eating or preparing food
• After changing diapers or helping someone use the toilet
• When caring for someone who is ill

Frequent and thorough hand-washing can significantly reduce the likelihood of transmitting Hepatitis A to others. Considering its transmission route, good hand-washing is a simple yet highly effective preventative measure.

Personal Hygiene in Healthcare

In healthcare settings, personal hygiene is vital to protect both healthcare workers and patients from infections like Hepatitis A. Healthcare professionals should adhere to stringent hygiene protocols, which include:

• Frequent hand-washing with soap and water
• Wearing gloves when in contact with bodily fluids
• Proper disposal of waste materials
• Sanitizing surfaces that may come into contact with contamination risks

Additionally, educating patients and families about the importance of maintaining personal hygiene can help prevent the spread of infections in a healthcare setting. Personal hygiene is not just about hand-washing; it encompasses a wide range of practices that safeguard against the spread of viruses and bacteria.