An adult client is admitted with AIDS and oral candidiasis manifested by several painful mouth ulcers. The nurse delegates oral care to the unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP) and discusses how to assist the client. Which instruction should the nurse provide the UAP?

A. Offer the client mouthwash for thorough cleansing after brushing teeth: Many commercial mouthwashes contain alcohol or other ingredients that can irritate ulcerated oral mucosa and worsen pain. The UAP should avoid offering harsh mouthwashes to clients with oral candidiasis, as gentle cleansing is safer and more comfortable. B. Provide a soft bristled toothbrush for the client to use during oral care: A soft-bristled toothbrush minimizes trauma to the ulcerated and inflamed oral mucosa, reducing pain and preventing further tissue injury. This is a safe, appropriate, and delegable intervention that the UAP can perform under the nurse’s guidance. C. Assist with personal care, but leave oral care for the nurse to complete: While some oral care tasks may require the nurse for assessment or administration of medications, basic hygiene such as brushing with a soft toothbrush is within the UAP’s scope and can be safely delegated. Leaving oral care entirely to the nurse is unnecessary and inefficient. D. Wear sterile gloves when cleansing any areas of infected mucosa: Standard precautions, including clean gloves, are appropriate for routine oral care. Sterile gloves are not required unless performing invasive procedures. Requiring sterile gloves is excessive and may unnecessarily complicate routine oral hygiene for the client.