Question

The nurse is preparing to make a home visit to a client with hepatitis \(\mathrm{A}\). Which plan would the nurse include to prevent the family from contracting hepatitis \(\mathrm{A}\) 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: Emphasize the need for good hand-washing and personal hygiene.

Step-by-step solution

Understanding Hepatitis A Transmission

Hepatitis A is a viral infection that affects the liver, and is mainly transmitted through contact with the feces of an infected person or by consuming contaminated food and water. Therefore, proper hygiene and sanitation are key factors in preventing hepatitis A transmission.

Evaluating Options

Now let's evaluate the given options based on our understanding of hepatitis A transmission: A. Emphasize the need for good hand-washing and personal hygiene: This is an appropriate measure, as proper hand-washing and maintaining personal hygiene can help to prevent the spread of the infection through contact with contaminated feces. B. Inform the family to place the client in isolation: Isolation might not be necessary for preventing hepatitis A transmission, as long as proper hygiene and sanitation measures are followed. C. Avoid contact with the client's blood: Hepatitis A is mainly transmitted through fecal-oral route and not through blood. Therefore, this option is not relevant in this situation. D. Tell the client to wear a mask at all times: Wearing a mask may prevent the spread of respiratory infections, but hepatitis A transmission occurs mainly through contact with feces. So, this option is not relevant for the prevention of hepatitis A.

Choosing the Correct Option

Based on our evaluation of the options, the correct plan for the nurse to include in preventing the family from contracting hepatitis A from the client would be: A. Emphasize the need for good hand-washing and personal hygiene. This option addresses the main route of hepatitis A transmission, and by following proper hand-washing and personal hygiene practices, the family can significantly reduce the risk of contracting hepatitis A from the client.