A home health nurse is reinforcing teaching with a client who has diabetes mellitus. Which of the following statements should the nurse make to evaluate the client's use of a glucometer?

The correct answer is C. Hearing voices is a common symptom of psychotic disorders, such as schizophrenia. The nurse should first assess if the client is at risk of harming themselves or others due to the content of the voices. This is a priority intervention that can help prevent potential violence or suicide. The other statements are not appropriate as initial responses. A walk outside may not stop the voices and may expose the client to more stimuli that could worsen their condition. Asking the client to listen to the nurse instead of the voices may be perceived as dismissive or challenging by the client. Acknowledging that the voices are real to the client but not to the nurse may help establish rapport, but it does not address the urgency of assessing for safety.

Choice A reason:

The statement is correct because chickenpox is highly contagious, and visiting someone with active chickenpox can put the pregnant individual at risk of contracting the infection. The recommendation is to avoid contact with individuals who have chickenpox, especially during pregnancy. The correct approach is to stay away from the infected person until they are no longer contagious (which is usually after all the sores have crusted over and dried up).

Choice B reason:

The statement Is incorrect because taking antibiotics for a viral infection is not appropriate, as antibiotics are only effective against bacterial infections, not viruses. Using antibiotics inappropriately can lead to antibiotic resistance and other potential side effects. Viral infections are generally managed with supportive care.

Choice C reason:

The statement is incorrect because handwashing is an essential infection prevention measure, but washing hands for 10 seconds with hot water may not be sufficient to remove germs effectively. The recommended duration for handwashing is at least 20 seconds with soap and water.

Choice D reason:

The statement is incorrect because cleaning a cat's litter box during pregnancy is not recommended due to the potential risk of exposure to the parasite Toxoplasma gondii, which is found in cat faeces. Toxoplasmosis can cause serious health issues in the developing foetus. It is best for pregnant individuals to avoid cleaning the litter box and have someone else do it or wear gloves and wash hands thoroughly afterward if no one else can do it.