Final answer:
The statement 'I will call my doctor if I have an increase in temperature' accurately indicates the client understands the implications of neutropenia and acknowledges the heightened risk of infection.
Step-by-step explanation:
The correct statement indicating that the client understands teaching about neutropenia is: I will call my doctor if I have an increase in temperature. This statement reflects an understanding of the importance of monitoring for signs of infection, as neutropenia, a condition characterized by abnormally low levels of neutrophils, renders a person more susceptible to infections.
Neutropenia can compromise the immune system and increase the risk of infections. Neutropenic individuals should practice good hygiene, avoid crowds, and be aware of the signs of infection. Patients are often advised to use a soft toothbrush to prevent bleeding gums, which can be an entry point for infection. Wearing a mask in crowded places or during high rates of community infection can be an important preventative measure, although it's not required at all times for all patients. Understanding that one's grandchildren are unlikely to get an infection from the neutropenic individual is also important because neutropenia does not make a person contagious, but rather more vulnerable to contracting infections themselves.