Karen, a 26-year-old woman, has come for preconception counseling and asks about caring for her cat as she has heard that she "should not touch the cat during pregnancy." The clinic nurse's best response is:

Question

a. It is best if someone other than you changes the cat's litter pan during pregnancy so that you have no risk of toxoplasmosis during pregnancy.
b. It is important to have someone else change the litter pan during pregnancy and also avoid consuming raw vegetables.
c. Have you had any "flu-like" symptoms since you got your cat? If so, you may have already had toxoplasmosis and there is nothing to worry about.
d. Toxoplasmosis is a concern during pregnancy, so it is important to have someone else change the cat's litter pan and also to avoid consuming uncooked meat.

Answer 1

ANS: d
Feedback
a. The nurse should also explain that the patient should not eat uncooked meat as it is a potential source for toxoplasmosis.
b. Raw vegetables are not a source for toxoplasmosis.
c. This is not an accurate way to diagnose if the woman has had toxoplasmosis.
d. Women need to be aware that Toxoplasma gondii, a single-celled parasite, is responsible for the infection toxoplasmosis. The majority of individuals who become infected with toxoplasmosis are asymptomatic, although when present, symptoms are described as "flu like" and include glandular pain and enlargement and myalgia. Severe toxoplasmosis infection may cause damage to the fetal brain, eyes, or other organs. Toxoplasmosis is usually acquired by consuming raw or poorly cooked meat that has been contaminated with T. gondii. Toxoplasmosis may also be acquired through close contact with feces from an infected animal (usually cats) or soil that has been contaminated with T. gondii.