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. Wear a gown when providing care: A gown should always be worn when caring for a client with C. difficile to prevent contamination of the nurse’s clothing with infectious spores. This is part of contact precautions, which are essential to stop transmission via direct or indirect contact. B. Wash hands with an alcohol-based cleaner: Alcohol-based sanitizers are ineffective against C. difficile spores. Handwashing with soap and water is required after client contact because mechanical friction is needed to remove spores from the skin. C. Change gloves after contact with infectious material: Gloves must be changed immediately after contact with contaminated surfaces or body fluids to prevent cross-contamination. D. Wear an N95 respirator when providing care: An N95 respirator is unnecessary for clients with C. difficile because the infection is transmitted by contact, not airborne routes. Standard and contact precautions are sufficient for infection control. E. Remove the thermometer from the client's room for use on another client: Equipment used for a client with C. difficile should remain dedicated to that client. Sharing devices like thermometers risks spreading spores to other clients, so disposable or patient-specific equipment must be used.