NCLEX-PN® ExaminationHealth Promotion and MaintenanceMedium
A practical nurse is educating a client who is preparing for international travel to a region with a high prevalence of hepatitis A. The client asks about the most effective way to prevent contracting the virus. Which recommendation should the nurse prioritize?
- ADrinking only bottled water and avoiding ice.
- BReceiving the hepatitis A vaccine.
- CAvoiding raw fruits and vegetables.
- DWashing hands frequently with soap and water.
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: B. Receiving the hepatitis A vaccine.
While good hygiene and food/water precautions are important, vaccination is the most effective and primary method for preventing hepatitis A infection, especially when traveling to endemic areas.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. This is a good precaution but not the primary prevention method; vaccination is more effective.
- C. This is a good precaution but not the primary prevention method; vaccination is more effective.
- D. Handwashing is essential, but hepatitis A can also be transmitted through contaminated food and water, which vaccination addresses more comprehensively.
Hepatitis A Prevention
Measures taken to prevent infection with the hepatitis A virus, which primarily spreads through the fecal-oral route.
- Vaccination is the most effective method.
- Good hand hygiene is crucial.
- Avoid contaminated food and water.
Memory trick: Vaccines Vanquish Viral Ventures.