A nurse is providing medication teaching about disulfiram for a client who has alcohol use disorder. Which of the following statements by the client indicates an understanding of the teaching?

Rationale:
A. "Store and eat luncheon deli meats cold while pregnant.": Cold deli meats can harbor Listeria monocytogenes, which can cause listeriosis and increase the risk of miscarriage or fetal infection. Pregnant clients should heat deli meats until steaming before consumption to reduce this risk.

B. "Wash all fruits thoroughly before consumption during pregnancy.": Washing fruits removes dirt, bacteria, and potential contaminants such as Listeria or Toxoplasma, reducing the risk of food-borne illness. This is a key preventive measure for maintaining maternal and fetal health.

C. "Consumption of raw fish is safe during pregnancy if done in moderation.": Raw fish can contain parasites and bacteria such as Salmonella, or Toxoplasma. Pregnant clients should avoid raw or undercooked fish entirely to prevent serious infections that can harm the fetus.

D. "Food-borne illnesses are more difficult to contract while pregnant.": Pregnancy actually increases susceptibility to certain food-borne illnesses due to immunologic changes. Pregnant clients should follow strict food safety measures to protect both maternal and fetal health.

Rationale for Correct Choices

• Compartment syndrome: The child’s nondisplaced midshaft fracture of the radius and ulna places them at risk for compartment syndrome, whereby increased pressure within the muscle compartments impairs circulation and tissue perfusion. Early recognition is crucial to prevent permanent nerve or muscle damage.

• Paresthesia: The child reports tingling in the fingers, which indicates nerve involvement or compression—an early warning sign of compartment syndrome. Monitoring for paresthesia helps the nurse identify worsening neurovascular compromise promptly.

Rationale for Incorrect Choices

• Osteomyelitis: Infection of the bone is unlikely immediately after a closed nondisplaced fracture without open wounds or surgical intervention. There is no evidence of systemic infection at this stage.

• Nonunion: Fracture nonunion is a long-term complication that occurs if healing fails over weeks to months. The child’s fracture is recent, so immediate risk is low.

• Physical damage: While trauma caused the fracture, “physical damage” is a broad term and does not specify a complication requiring acute monitoring.

• Ecchymosis: Bruising indicates soft tissue injury but does not predict compartment syndrome or other severe complications.

• Type of fracture: While important for diagnosis and treatment planning, the fracture type (nondisplaced) does not directly indicate the acute risk for neurovascular compromise.

• Location of fracture: The midshaft location contributes to fracture management but is not as clinically relevant as the early signs of compartment syndrome, such as paresthesia.