A male client atends a community support program for mentally impaired and chemical abusing clients. The client tells the practical nurse (PN) that his drugs of choice are cocaine and heroin. What is the greatest health risk for this client?

This is the greatest health risk for this client because he is likely to inject cocaine and heroin intravenously and share needles with other drug users, which can transmit blood-borne infections such as hepatitis B or C. Hepatitis can cause liver inflammation, cirrhosis, or cancer and may be fatal if untreated.