A nurse is working with a client who has an anxiety disorder and is in the orientation phase of the therapeutic relationship.
Which of the following statements should the nurse make during this phase?

A) "My child has some swelling around her eyelids and mouth."

In this scenario, the parent reporting swelling around the toddler's eyelids and mouth after receiving immunizations is the nurse's priority concern. Swelling around the eyes and mouth can be indicative of a possible allergic reaction, such as angioedema or anaphylaxis, which can be a serious and life-threatening condition. Immediate assessment and intervention are needed to address this potential allergic reaction.

The other findings, while important, are not as immediately concerning:

B) A temperature of 100.7 degrees Fahrenheit is a mild fever, which can be expected as a side effect of some vaccines. It may not be the nurse's immediate priority, but it should still be monitored.

C) A toddler's decreased feeding of 2 ounces during her last feeding may be related to her discomfort or fever after immunizations. It's essential to monitor this but not an immediate priority.

D) Crying when touched at the injection site is a common response to immunizations and, while uncomfortable for the child, is not typically a cause for immediate concern. However, it should still be addressed with comfort measures.

Choice A rationale:

Taking antibiotics when having a virus is not a correct understanding of infection prevention. Antibiotics are ineffective against viruses and should only be used for bacterial infections under the guidance of a healthcare provider. This statement indicates a misunderstanding of infection prevention.

Choice B rationale:

Washing hands for at least 20 seconds with soap and water is the recommended practice for infection prevention. Washing hands for 10 seconds may not be sufficient to remove all germs effectively. This statement does not demonstrate a proper understanding of hand hygiene.

Choice C rationale:

Cleaning a cat's litter box during pregnancy is not recommended due to the risk of contracting toxoplasmosis, a parasitic infection that can harm the fetus. Pregnant individuals should avoid handling cat litter to prevent exposure to this infection. This statement indicates a lack of awareness regarding infection prevention during pregnancy.

Choice D rationale:

Waiting 5 days after the chickenpox sores have crusted before visiting a person with chickenpox demonstrates an understanding of infection prevention. Chickenpox is highly contagious, and individuals should avoid close contact until the sores have fully healed and crusted over. This statement reflects appropriate knowledge about preventing the spread of contagious diseases during pregnancy.