A patient who has had type 2 diabetes for 26 years is beginning to experience peripheral neuropathy ...

A patient who has had type 2 diabetes for 26 years is beginning to experience peripheral neuropathy in the feet and lower leg.
 
  The nurse is providing education to the patient to prevent injury to the feet by wearing shoes or slippers when walking. Which statement made by the nurse best explains the rationale for this instruction?
  a. Wearing shoes blocks pain perception and helps you adapt to pain, which ends up protecting your feet.
  b. Shoes provide nonpharmacological pain relief to people with diabetes and peripheral neuropathy.
  c. The neurological gates open when wearing shoes, which protects your feet.
  d. If you step on something without shoes, you might not feel it; this could possibly cause injury to your foot.