For a perinatal client at risk for toxoplasmosis, what should the nurse teach to prevent exposure?

When educating a perinatal client at risk for toxoplasmosis, it is crucial to focus on strategies that effectively reduce the risk of exposure to the parasite that causes the infection. Avoiding exposure to litter boxes used by cats is a vital recommendation because Toxoplasma gondii, the parasite responsible for toxoplasmosis, is often found in the feces of infected cats. The risk of transmission increases when handling litter boxes, especially if proper hygiene practices, such as washing hands afterward, are not followed. Pregnant individuals are advised to delegate litter box cleaning to someone else if possible, or to wear gloves and wash hands thoroughly after handling litter.

While well-cooked meats are indeed important to prevent infection, it is the direct contact with cat feces via litter boxes that poses the most immediate risk for pregnant women, making the avoidance of litter boxes a more pressing preventive measure. Additionally, the concerns related to raw vegetables and staying indoors during rainy weather do not specifically target the main routes of transmission for toxoplasmosis and are therefore secondary concerns in comparison to the risks associated with handling cat litter.