A nurse is changing the bed linen for a client who is on contact precautions. Which of the following personal protective equipment should the nurse wear?

A. Communicability refers to the ability of a pathogen, such as a virus, to spread from one person to another. If a virus undergoes a mutation that increases its communicability, it means that the virus can more readily transmit from an infected person to others. This could be due to changes in viral proteins that enhance attachment to host cells, increase viral shedding, or improve survival in the environment.
B. This statement describes the concept of the infectious dose, not communicability. Infectious dose refers to the amount of virus (or pathogen) required to establish an infection in a susceptible host. A mutation that lowers the infectious dose could potentially increase the likelihood of infection, but it does not directly relate to communicability.

C. Environmental stability refers to the ability of a virus to survive outside of a host and remain capable of causing infection. While environmental stability can contribute to the overall transmission of a virus, it does not specifically define communicability, which focuses on person-to-person spread.
D. Disease severity refers to the impact of infection on the health of an individual, ranging from mild symptoms to severe illness and potential mortality. A mutation that increases disease severity does not necessarily affect communicability unless severe disease leads to behaviors that enhance transmission (e.g., increased shedding of virus).

A. An inguinal hernia typically does not directly contribute to an increased risk of falls. It is a condition where tissues, such as part of the intestine, protrude through a weak spot in the abdominal muscles. While it may require caution with certain movements or heavy lifting to prevent exacerbation, it is not typically associated with balance or mobility issues that would increase fall risk.
B. Hyperthyroidism is a condition where the thyroid gland produces excessive thyroid hormone. Symptoms may include nervousness, tremors, rapid heart rate (palpitations), and muscle weakness. While muscle weakness could potentially contribute to an increased fall risk, it's not typically a primary factor unless the weakness is severe or affecting lower extremity strength significantly.
C. Hyperlipidemia refers to elevated levels of lipids (fats) in the blood, such as cholesterol and triglycerides. While it is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease, it does not directly increase the risk of falls.
D. Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a neurological condition that can cause a wide range of symptoms, including muscle weakness, coordination problems, and balance issues. These neurological impairments significantly increase the risk of falls due to impaired mobility and balance control.