Nancy immediately became concerned because the workers were not wearing any type of breathing apparatus. They monkeys were subdued, lacked life, had runny noses and a lack of appetite. She did not want to aggravate the monkeys because they spit when they're angry, which might result in further exposure.
The choice Nancy had to make was to stay and perform the operation at the monkey house, or go home and spend time with her father, who was dying. She took her chances and hopedf that her father would live a little while longer.