A nurse is caring for a newly admitted client who has bacterial meningitis. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?

Choice A reason: Washing hands for 10 seconds with hot water is insufficient; at least 20 seconds with soap and warm water is recommended to remove pathogens post-gardening. Hot water alone is ineffective, so this statement reflects incomplete understanding, making it incorrect.
Choice B reason: Visiting a nephew with chickenpox 5 days after sores crust indicates understanding, as the virus is no longer contagious then. This aligns with CDC guidelines for varicella, protecting the pregnant client and fetus, making it the correct statement.
Choice C reason: Cleaning a cat’s litter box during pregnancy risks toxoplasmosis, which can harm the fetus. Pregnant women should avoid this task, so this statement shows a lack of understanding, making it incorrect for infection prevention.
Choice D reason: Avoiding anyone with a cold sore is overly restrictive, as herpes simplex transmission requires direct contact. General avoidance without context reflects misunderstanding, as precautions like avoiding kissing suffice, making this incorrect.

Choice A reason: Informed consent does not prevent a client from refusing the procedure, as they retain the right to withdraw consent at any time before or during the process. This statement is incorrect, as it misrepresents the client’s autonomy and legal rights under informed consent principles.
Choice B reason: The nurse’s role in witnessing consent is to verify the client’s voluntary agreement, not to explain the procedure in detail. The surgeon or provider is responsible for detailed explanations, making this action outside the nurse’s scope in this context and incorrect.
Choice C reason: Explaining risks and benefits is the surgeon’s responsibility, not the nurse’s when witnessing consent. The nurse ensures the client understands and agrees voluntarily but does not provide the explanation, making this an incorrect description of the nurse’s role in the process.
Choice D reason: The client’s voluntary agreement is a core legal requirement of informed consent, which the nurse verifies as a witness. This ensures the client understands the procedure, risks, and benefits and consents without coercion, aligning with ethical and legal standards, making it correct.