A patient with hepatitis E is admitted to a medical-surgical unit. The nurse teaches the patient and their family that this type of hepatitis spread through which mode of transmission?

A. Injection of drugs:
Hepatitis E is not primarily spread through the injection of drugs. While injection drug use can increase the risk of hepatitis B and C transmission, hepatitis E is typically spread through the fecal-oral route, often via contaminated water or food.

B. Semen:
Hepatitis E is primarily transmitted via the fecal-oral route and is not commonly spread through semen. Sexual transmission of hepatitis E is rare compared to other types of viral hepatitis, and the primary mode of transmission is ingestion of contaminated food or water.

C. Fecal-oral:
The fecal-oral route is the primary mode of transmission for hepatitis E. This means that the virus is spread through ingestion of food or water contaminated with fecal matter containing the virus. Poor sanitation and hygiene practices are common risk factors for hepatitis E transmission.

D. Blood:
Unlike hepatitis B and C, hepatitis E is not primarily transmitted through blood exposure. While transmission through blood transfusions or organ transplants has been reported in some cases, the main mode of transmission for hepatitis E is ingestion of contaminated food or water.

A. "It eliminates the clotting factors." - This statement suggests a misunderstanding of how enoxaparin works. Enoxaparin is a low molecular weight heparin that does not eliminate clotting factors but rather inhibits the activity of factor Xa, a key enzyme involved in the coagulation cascade. By inhibiting factor Xa, enoxaparin prevents the conversion of prothrombin to thrombin, thereby reducing the formation of fibrin clots. It does not eliminate existing clotting factors from the bloodstream.

B. "This medication will keep the blood clot from growing larger." - This statement demonstrates a correct understanding of enoxaparin's mechanism of action. Enoxaparin is an anticoagulant medication that works by preventing the enlargement of existing blood clots. By inhibiting the activity of factor Xa, enoxaparin prevents the conversion of prothrombin to thrombin, thereby reducing the formation of fibrin clots and preventing existing clots from growing larger.

C. "This medication will decrease my risk for bleeding." - This statement is incorrect. Enoxaparin, like other anticoagulants, actually increases the risk of bleeding due to its mechanism of action. By inhibiting the coagulation cascade, enoxaparin prolongs the time it takes for blood to clot, which can lead to an increased risk of bleeding, particularly in patients who are predisposed to bleeding or are taking other medications that affect clotting.

D. "I will get this medication in my veins." - This statement is incorrect. Enoxaparin is administered subcutaneously, not intravenously. It is usually injected into the fatty tissue of the abdomen or thigh using a prefilled syringe with a short, thin needle. The subcutaneous route of administration allows for slow absorption and sustained anticoagulant effects over time.