A nurse in an emergency department is caring for a 3-year-old child who has suspected epiglottitis.
Which of the following actions should the nurse take?

Choice A rationale:

Taking antibiotics when having a virus is not a correct understanding of infection prevention. Antibiotics are ineffective against viruses and should only be used for bacterial infections under the guidance of a healthcare provider. This statement indicates a misunderstanding of infection prevention.

Choice B rationale:

Washing hands for at least 20 seconds with soap and water is the recommended practice for infection prevention. Washing hands for 10 seconds may not be sufficient to remove all germs effectively. This statement does not demonstrate a proper understanding of hand hygiene.

Choice C rationale:

Cleaning a cat's litter box during pregnancy is not recommended due to the risk of contracting toxoplasmosis, a parasitic infection that can harm the fetus. Pregnant individuals should avoid handling cat litter to prevent exposure to this infection. This statement indicates a lack of awareness regarding infection prevention during pregnancy.

Choice D rationale:

Waiting 5 days after the chickenpox sores have crusted before visiting a person with chickenpox demonstrates an understanding of infection prevention. Chickenpox is highly contagious, and individuals should avoid close contact until the sores have fully healed and crusted over. This statement reflects appropriate knowledge about preventing the spread of contagious diseases during pregnancy.

Choice A rationale:

Research consistently shows that individuals who have a history of violent behavior are at a higher risk of engaging in future violent acts. This is a significant predictor because past behavior is often indicative of future behavior. Individuals with a history of violence may have difficulty managing anger, frustration, or stress, making them more prone to aggressive tendencies in various situations.

Choice B rationale:

Experiencing delusions refers to having false beliefs that are firmly held despite evidence to the contrary. While delusions can lead to erratic behavior, not all individuals experiencing delusions will become violent. The presence of delusions alone is not as strong a predictor of future violence as a documented history of violent behavior.

Choice C rationale:

While statistical data may indicate that males are more commonly involved in violent crimes, it is important to note that gender alone is not a reliable predictor of an individual's likelihood to become violent. Many males never engage in violent behavior, and focusing solely on gender overlooks crucial individual factors that contribute to violent tendencies.

Choice D rationale:

Having a history of being in prison suggests past involvement in criminal activities, but it does not directly predict future violent behavior. Some individuals may have been incarcerated for non-violent offenses or may have undergone rehabilitation, reducing their propensity for violence. Therefore, this choice is not as strong a predictor as previous violent behavior.