A hospitalized client is severely neutropenic. What should the nurse include in the client teaching? Select all that apply.

Severe neutropenia means the client has a dangerously low absolute neutrophil count, leaving them highly vulnerable to infection from environmental sources. Avoiding potted plants and flowers in the room is recommended because soil and standing water harbor molds and bacteria such as Aspergillus and Pseudomonas, which can cause life-threatening infections in immunocompromised clients. Restricting visitors who have colds or contagious illnesses directly reduces the client's exposure to pathogens transmitted through respiratory droplets or contact. Cooking all food thoroughly eliminates bacteria and other pathogens that can be present in raw or undercooked foods, preventing foodborne infections that could be fatal in a neutropenic host. Frequent handwashing for 15 to 20 seconds is the single most effective measure to prevent the transmission of microorganisms and should be performed by the client, visitors, and all healthcare staff. Not allowing the client to make phone calls has no scientific basis for infection prevention and is inappropriate — phone use does not increase infection risk in this setting and restricting it would be an unnecessary limitation of the client's autonomy and communication. Therefore, all options except the phone restriction are correct and appropriate teaching points for the neutropenic client.