A nurse is caring for a client who has methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Which of the following actions should the nurse take to maintain medical asepsis?

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a multidrug-resistant organism that can be transmitted through direct contact, contaminated surfaces, or healthcare equipment. Maintaining medical asepsis is essential to prevent cross-contamination between clients, healthcare workers, and the environment. Hand hygiene is the most effective and fundamental infection control measure in preventing the spread of MRSA. Nurses must follow proper handwashing and standard precautions during all client care activities. Rationale: A. Rubbing hands with a 40% alcohol-based product is incorrect because effective alcohol-based hand sanitizers must contain at least 60% alcohol to achieve adequate antimicrobial activity. Lower concentrations are not sufficient to eliminate MRSA and may not provide reliable infection control. Proper hand hygiene requires approved antiseptic formulations. B. Washing hands for at least 15 seconds before providing care is correct because proper hand hygiene mechanically removes microorganisms, including MRSA, from the hands. Soap and water are especially important when hands are visibly soiled or when dealing with resistant organisms. This reduces the risk of transmission and maintains medical asepsis during client care. C. Providing the client with a mask during clinical visits is not necessary for MRSA unless there is a risk of respiratory droplet transmission, which is not typical for this organism. MRSA is primarily spread through direct contact, not airborne routes. Therefore, masking the client does not directly contribute to medical asepsis in this scenario. D. Wearing a mask while providing ADLs for the client is not required for standard MRSA precautions unless there is a risk of splashing or aerosol-generating procedures. MRSA transmission is primarily contact-based, so the key protective measures include gloves and hand hygiene. A mask alone does not address the main route of transmission.