During teaching about cough etiquette for a client with influenza, what should the nurse instruct the client to do?

Covering the nose and mouth with a tissue when coughing is a critical part of cough etiquette that helps to prevent the spread of respiratory infections, such as influenza. This practice minimizes the transmission of droplets that can contain viruses, as tissues can absorb the droplets effectively, preventing them from being released into the air and potentially infecting others nearby.

Using tissues also provides a barrier that decreases the likelihood of contaminating hands or surfaces that others might touch. After coughing or sneezing, it is important for individuals to dispose of the used tissue properly and to wash their hands or use hand sanitizer to further reduce the risk of spreading pathogens. By instructing the client to cover their nose and mouth with a tissue, the nurse is helping to promote public health and reduce transmission within the community.

While using an elbow when coughing is also a recommended practice, tissues are specifically effective in containing droplets, making this option the most pertinent for influenza prevention. Continuous mask-wearing can be beneficial but isn't specifically part of cough etiquette as it relates to the act of coughing itself, and avoiding close contact is important, but it doesn’t directly address the immediate action of coughing and containing the infection.