Which assessment would best address a client's risk factors for ascaris infection?

Assessing a client’s recent travel history is crucial in identifying risk factors for ascaris infection, primarily because Ascaris lumbricoides, the causative agent of ascariasis, is prevalent in certain regions, particularly in areas with poor sanitation and hygiene practices. When a client has traveled to or lived in endemic regions where the soil may be contaminated with the eggs of the parasite, this significantly increases their risk of infection.

In addition to travel, geographic and environmental factors play a vital role in understanding how a person may have been exposed to the parasite. Ascaris is commonly transmitted through the ingestion of contaminated soil, food, or water. Therefore, knowledge of recent travel to areas where the parasite is known to be endemic directly correlates with the potential for exposure.

While current symptoms of infection, dietary habits, and home environment sanitation are important in the overall assessment of health, they do not specifically pinpoint the likelihood of ascaris infection as directly as recent travel history would. Understanding where a person has been geographically can provide key insights into their risk and guide further testing or preventive measures.