Final answer:
The nurse should be careful with fecal matter to prevent transmission of Hepatitis A. Transmission is through the fecal-oral route, and preventing it in healthcare involves hand hygiene, protective equipment, and proper surface disinfection. Vaccination for at-risk individuals is recommended.
Step-by-step explanation:
When assessing a client with Hepatitis A, the nurse should be particularly careful with fecal matter to prevent transmission of the disease. Hepatitis A is primarily transmitted through the fecal-oral route, which can occur through close personal contact, consumption of contaminated water or food, or contact with contaminated surfaces. To reduce the risk of transmission in a health-care setting, precautions should include strict hand hygiene, the use of personal protective equipment when dealing with bodily fluids, thorough cleaning and disinfecting of surfaces with appropriate solutions such as a 10% bleach solution, and following detailed protocols for exposure management.
Vaccination against Hepatitis A is highly recommended for those at higher risk, including health-care workers. In the case of accidental exposure, immediate actions like washing the exposed skin with soap and water and consulting infection control protocols are vital. Moreover, health-care agencies are also required to offer vaccination to workers at risk of occupational exposure to blood and other infectious materials.