Final answer:
The nurse knows that the DTaP vaccine is designed to protect against diphtheria, tetanus, and acellular pertussis, which corresponds to option c.
Step-by-step explanation:
The nurse knows that the DTaP vaccine protects against three serious diseases: diphtheria, tetanus, and acellular pertussis. Therefore, the correct answer is c. Diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis. The DTaP vaccine is a combination vaccine that includes toxoids and other components to immunize individuals against these illnesses. 'D' stands for diphtheria, 'T' for tetanus, and 'aP' indicates the acellular version of the pertussis component. Full-strength doses are indicated by capitalized letters, while reduced dosages are indicated by lowercase letters. It is important to follow the recommended vaccination schedule, which includes five doses of the DTaP vaccine during childhood and Td boosters thereafter to maintain immunity.