A perioperative nurse is formulating a plan of care for a surgical client. Which nursing intervention is indicated to reduce the risk of surgical site infection (SSI)?

A. Sequential compression devices (SCDs) are an essential intervention for the prevention of deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism in the postoperative client. However, these mechanical devices do not have a direct impact on the inflammatory response or the microbial colonization of a surgical wound. While they improve venous return, they are not a primary strategy for reducing the specific risk of surgical site infections. B. Maintaining an oxygen saturation greater than 95% ensures that the tissues around the surgical incision receive adequate oxygenation to support the oxidative killing of bacteria by neutrophils. Hyperoxygenation during the perioperative period has been clinically shown to enhance collagen synthesis and strengthen the primary immune response at the wound site. This intervention is a recognized evidence-based practice for decreasing the incidence of postoperative infectious complications. C. Allowing a client's body temperature to drop below 97 degrees F, or inadvertent perioperative hypothermia, is actually a major risk factor for surgical site infection. Hypothermia causes peripheral vasoconstriction, which impairs oxygen delivery to the wound and suppresses the function of immune cells. The nurse must prioritize maintaining normothermia, typically above 98.6 degrees F, to preserve effective cutaneous blood flow and immune competence during and after surgery. D. Administering postoperative antibiotics for 48 to 72 hours is generally discouraged as it does not provide additional protection against infection and may contribute to antibiotic resistance. Current clinical guidelines recommend that prophylactic antibiotics be discontinued within 24 hours after surgery for most procedures. The nurse should focus on the timely administration of the preoperative dose rather than extending therapy beyond the period of maximum surgical contamination risk.