A nurse is reinforcing teaching about smoking cessation with a client who has chronic bronchitis and has smoked two packs of cigarettes per day for 30 years. Which of the following client statements indicates an understanding of the teaching?

A. "You can use an eyebrow pencil to fill in your eyebrows.": This statement provides practical, supportive guidance that empowers the client to manage visible effects of chemotherapy. Offering concrete strategies for coping with hair loss helps maintain self-esteem and promotes a sense of control during treatment.

B. "I lost my hair, too, when I went through chemotherapy.": Sharing personal experiences can sometimes foster connection, but it may shift focus away from the client’s feelings and minimize their individual emotional response. The priority is validating the client’s concerns rather than centering the nurse’s experiences.

C. "Before you know it, your hair will grow back.": While hair regrowth is expected after chemotherapy, this statement may unintentionally dismiss the client’s current distress. It does not address the emotional impact of hair loss in the present moment.

D. "You should focus on getting better.": This directive can be perceived as dismissive and minimizes the client’s emotional experience. It fails to acknowledge the psychosocial impact of chemotherapy side effects and does not offer supportive guidance.

A. Airborne: Airborne precautions are used for infections transmitted via small droplet nuclei that remain suspended in the air, such as tuberculosis, measles, or varicella. Mononucleosis, caused by the Epstein-Barr virus, is not transmitted via airborne particles, so airborne precautions are unnecessary.

B. Droplet: Mononucleosis is primarily transmitted through saliva and close respiratory contact, such as kissing or sharing utensils. Droplet precautions—including wearing a mask when within close contact and practicing hand hygiene—help prevent the spread of infectious respiratory secretions to others in the healthcare setting.

C. Contact: Contact precautions are indicated for infections transmitted by direct or indirect contact with contaminated surfaces, such as MRSA or Clostridioides difficile. Since mononucleosis is spread via respiratory droplets and saliva, contact precautions alone are insufficient.

D. Protective environment: Protective environment precautions are used to protect immunocompromised clients from exposure to environmental pathogens. They are not necessary for clients with mononucleosis, as the concern is preventing transmission from the infected client, not protecting them from infection.