During a prenatal examination, the woman reports having two cats at home. The nurse informs her that she should not be cleaning the litter box while she is pregnant. When the woman asks why, the nurse's best response would be:
a. "Your cats could be carrying toxoplasmosis. This is a zoonotic parasite that can infect you and have severe effects on your unborn child."
b. "You and your baby can be exposed to the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in your cats' feces."
c. "It's just gross. You should make your husband clean the litter boxes."
d. "Cat feces are known to carry Escherichia coli, which can cause a severe infection in both you and your baby."
A
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A Toxoplasmosis is a multisystem disease caused by the protozoal Toxoplasma gondii parasite, commonly found in cats, dogs, pigs, sheep, and cattle. About 30% of women who contract toxoplasmosis during gestation transmit the disease to their offspring. Clinical features ascribed to toxoplasmosis include hy-drocephalus or microcephaly, chorioretinitis, seizures, or cerebral calcifications.
B HIV is not transmitted by cats.
C Although this may be a valid statement, it is not appropriate, does not answer the patient's question, and is not the nurse's best response.
D E. coli is found in normal human fecal flora. It is not transmitted by cats.
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