A nurse is educating a client with gastroenteritis about preventing transmission. Which statement by the client indicates understanding?

Choice A rationale:

This response jumps to a bacterial infection without considering other possibilities.

Choice B rationale:

While parasitic infections can cause similar symptoms, the focus should be on the most likely scenario first.

Choice C rationale:

This response addresses the most probable cause – viral gastroenteritis, which is indeed highly contagious.

Choice D rationale:

Intestinal inflammation is a possibility, but it doesn't address the contagious nature of the symptoms.

Choice A rationale:

Muscle weakness and cramps are not typically associated with gastroenteritis. Gastroenteritis primarily affects the gastrointestinal system, leading to symptoms like diarrhea, vomiting, and abdominal pain.

Choice B rationale:

Weight loss and edema are not common signs of gastroenteritis. Gastroenteritis often leads to fluid loss through diarrhea and vomiting, which can result in dehydration, but edema is not a typical symptom.

Choice C rationale:

Watery or bloody diarrhea is a hallmark symptom of gastroenteritis. Gastroenteritis is usually caused by viral or bacterial infections that inflame the gastrointestinal lining, leading to diarrhea, which can sometimes be bloody due to irritation.

Choice D rationale:

Dry mouth and poor skin turgor are indicative of dehydration, which can result from gastroenteritis due to fluid loss from diarrhea and vomiting. However, they are more secondary effects rather than initial signs of the condition.

Choice E rationale:

Fever and chills can occur in cases of gastroenteritis, especially if it's caused by a bacterial infection. Inflammation and immune response triggered by the infection can lead to fever and associated symptoms.