Question

The nurse is reinforcing education for a client diagnosed with genital herpes. Which educational instructions should the nurse include to best prevent spread of the disease? Select all that apply.

a. Use a separate towel to pat lesions dry and another to dry other parts of the body.
b. It is important to inform your partner of the disease.
c. Avoid sharing personal items like razors or toothbrushes.
d. Wash hands thoroughly before and after applying medication.

Answer 1

The nurse should instruct the client diagnosed with genital herpes to use separate towels for lesions, inform their partner, avoid sharing personal items, and wash hands thoroughly, in addition to safe sex practices and antiviral treatment.

Step-by-step explanation:

The nurse educating a client diagnosed with genital herpes should include multiple instructions to prevent the spread of the disease. The correct educational instructions are:

• Use a separate towel to pat lesions dry and a different one for other parts of the body, reducing the risk of cross-contamination.
• It is crucial to inform your partner of the disease to ensure they are aware of the risks of transmission and can take appropriate preventive measures.
• Avoid sharing personal items like razors or toothbrushes, as these can carry the virus if they come into contact with lesions.
• Wash hands thoroughly before and after applying medication to prevent the virus from spreading to other parts of the body or to others.

These steps are essential in addition to practicing safe sex, using condoms, and seeking medical treatment with antiviral medications which could reduce symptoms and the risk of transmission.