Which question should the nurse ask to assess the risk of toxoplasmosis in a pregnant client?

Assessing the risk of toxoplasmosis in a pregnant client is crucial, as this infection can pose significant risks to fetal health, including congenital disabilities or miscarriage. One of the primary sources of toxoplasmosis is exposure to the parasite Toxoplasma gondii, which can often be found in cat feces. Therefore, asking whether the client has any cats as house pets and if they come into contact with their soiled kitty litter addresses a direct risk factor associated with this infection.

Cats are the definitive host of the Toxoplasma parasite, and the transmission can occur when a person handles cat litter that contains the oocysts of the parasite. This question helps the nurse identify potential exposure, which may necessitate further education on proper hygiene practices to mitigate risk.

While other questions might provide context about a client's general health or lifestyle, they do not specifically address the high-risk behaviors associated with toxoplasmosis transmission. For instance, traveling internationally or handling raw meat can also influence the risk of infections but are not as directly linked to toxoplasmosis as contact with cat litter. Similarly, being around someone who has been sick is vague and does not correlate with the specific concern of toxoplasmosis in this scenario. Thus, the focus on pet ownership