What should the nurse explain to parents concerned about acute glomerulonephritis being contagious?

Acute glomerulonephritis (AGN) is primarily caused by an antigen-antibody response, often following an infection by certain strains of Streptococcus bacteria, such as those responsible for strep throat. When the body reacts to the infection, it produces antibodies that can lead to inflammation in the glomeruli of the kidneys. This process is not contagious because it is the body's immune response to a previous infection, rather than an infectious organism being passed from person to person.

Understanding this mechanism helps clarify to parents their concerns about contagiousness. Since AGN follows a specific infection and isn't transmitted through casual contact or respiratory droplets, educating them on the role of Streptococcus aids in reducing anxiety about the potential spread of the illness among family members or within the community.

While the other options present different aspects of AGN’s characteristics, they do not address the parents' concern regarding contagion effectively. The first option discusses the uncertainties surrounding AGN’s causation, which does not alleviate concerns about transmission. The second option incorrectly describes AGN as inherited which misleads the discussion regarding contagiousness. The third option misrepresents the cause of AGN, focusing on clots rather than the immune response, which is central to understanding the