A nurse is caring for a client who has newly diagnosed polycystic kidney disease (PKD). The client asks, "Did I do something to my body to get this disease?" Which of the following statements from the nurse is the most accurate response?

A. "This disease is a genetic disorder and could not have been prevented.": Polycystic kidney disease is an autosomal dominant or recessive inherited condition characterized by the growth of numerous fluid-filled cysts in the kidneys. It is not caused by lifestyle choices, infections, or other chronic diseases. Educating the client that it is a genetic trait helps alleviate feelings of self-blame or guilt regarding the diagnosis. B. "This disease might have occurred if you had some type of streptococcal infection such as strep throat in the past 7 to 10 days.": This statement describes the etiology of acute post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis, which is an immune-mediated inflammatory response. Polycystic kidney disease is a structural, hereditary condition and is not triggered by bacterial pathogens. Conflating the two conditions provides inaccurate information about the pathogenesis of the client's disease. C. "If your diet includes foods high in calcium, it could have led to this disease.": Dietary calcium intake is related to the formation of renal calculi but has no role in the development of polycystic kidney disease. PKD is caused by mutations in the PKD1 or PKD2 genes, not by nutritional imbalances. Suggesting a dietary cause misrepresents the biological nature of this chronic genetic condition. D. "This disease might have occurred because of your hypertension and diabetes.": While hypertension and diabetes can cause chronic kidney disease and nephrosclerosis, they do not cause the formation of cysts seen in PKD. In fact, PKD often causes secondary hypertension due to the activation of the renin-angiotensin system. Causal direction is the opposite of what is stated in this incorrect explanation.