A nurse is educating a client about hepatitis C transmission. Which statement by the client indicates a need for further teaching?

Choice A rationale:

Leptospirosis is a non-viral cause of hepatitis. It is caused by the bacterium Leptospira and can lead to liver inflammation. Leptospirosis is typically contracted through exposure to contaminated water, soil, or urine of infected animals.

Choice B rationale:

Malaria is not a cause of hepatitis. Malaria is a parasitic infection transmitted through the bite of infected mosquitoes and does not directly affect the liver in the way hepatitis does.

Choice C rationale:

Acetaminophen is a non-viral cause of hepatitis when taken in excessive amounts or in cases of overdose. Acetaminophen toxicity can lead to acute liver failure and hepatitis-like symptoms.

Choice D rationale:

Autoimmune hepatitis is a non-viral cause of hepatitis. It occurs when the body's immune system mistakenly attacks the liver, leading to inflammation and liver damage. The exact cause of autoimmune hepatitis is not well understood.

Choice E rationale:

Hepatitis B is a viral cause of hepatitis and is not a non-viral cause. It is caused by the hepatitis B virus (HBV) and is transmitted through exposure to infected blood, sexual contact, or perinatal transmission from mother to child.

Choice A rationale:

This statement is incorrect. Chronic hepatitis is a condition where liver inflammation lasts for more than six months. If hepatitis lasts less than six months, it is referred to as acute hepatitis.

Choice B rationale:

This statement is incorrect. Chronic hepatitis can be caused by enveloped single-stranded RNA viruses, specifically hepatitis B and C viruses. Non-enveloped single-stranded RNA viruses, like the norovirus, can cause acute gastroenteritis, but not chronic hepatitis.

Choice C rationale:

This statement is correct. Chronic hepatitis, particularly caused by hepatitis B and C viruses, can lead to serious complications such as liver cirrhosis, liver failure, and liver cancer. It is essential to manage chronic hepatitis carefully to prevent these severe outcomes.

Choice D rationale:

This statement is incorrect. Chronic hepatitis is not primarily transmitted through the fecal-oral route. Hepatitis A virus is transmitted through contaminated food or water and primarily spreads through the fecal-oral route. Hepatitis B and C viruses are commonly transmitted through blood contact, sexual contact, and from an infected mother to her baby during childbirth.