A nurse is caring for a client who has a Clostridium difficile infection. Which of the following actions should the nurse take? (Select all that apply)

Rationale: A. Wash hands with an alcohol-based cleaner: Alcohol-based hand sanitizers are not effective against Clostridium difficile spores. Handwashing with soap and water is necessary to physically remove spores and reduce transmission. B. Wear a gown when providing care: Contact precautions, including wearing a gown, are essential to prevent the spread of C. difficile through contaminated clothing and surfaces. Gowns help protect the nurse and other clients from infection. C. Remove the thermometer from client's room for use on another client: Using equipment on multiple clients without proper disinfection can spread C. difficile. Disposable or dedicated equipment should be used, or the thermometer must be disinfected before reuse. D. Wear an N95 respirator when providing care: C. difficile is transmitted via the fecal-oral route, not airborne. An N95 respirator is not required; standard surgical masks are sufficient if needed for droplet precautions. E. Change gloves after contact with infectious material: Proper glove use and changing gloves after contact with fecal material or contaminated surfaces prevent cross-contamination and reduce the risk of spreading C. difficile to other clients or surfaces.