Question

A nurse is providing a dietary teaching about reducing the risk of infection to a client who has cancer and is receiving chemotherapy. Which of the following client statements indicates an understanding of the teaching?

A.) "I will thaw my food at room temperature."

B.) "I will use leftovers within 24 hours."

C.) "I should use home-canned goods within 2 years of canning."

D.) "I should heat my food to at least 120 degrees Fahrenheit."

Answer 1

The correct statement that indicates understanding of how to reduce infection risk through diet for a chemotherapy patient is "I will use leftovers within 24 hours." This reflects proper food safety practices to avoid bacterial growth and reduce infection risk.

Step-by-step explanation:

The question is asking which statement made by a client who is undergoing chemotherapy and has cancer indicates they understand how to reduce the risk of infection through dietary habits. Among the provided options, the correct statement that indicates an understanding of the dietary teaching to reduce the risk of infection is:

B) "I will use leftovers within 24 hours."

Thawing food at room temperature or eating home-canned goods that are over two years old can foster bacterial growth and increase the risk of foodborne illness. Additionally, heating food to at least 120 degrees Fahrenheit is not sufficient to kill bacteria, as food needs to reach an internal temperature of at least 165 degrees Fahrenheit to ensure safety. Therefore, the statement about using leftovers within 24 hours suggests proper handling of food by limiting the time potential bacteria have to multiply, which is important for someone with a compromised immune system due to chemotherapy.