Which of the following actions can the nurse take to help prevent a health care-associated infection in an incontinent patient?

A. Restricting Fluids: Restricting fluids may lead to concentrated urine and increase the risk of urinary tract infections. Maintaining adequate hydration helps flush bacteria from the urinary tract and supports overall immune function. B. Toileting patient every 4 hours: Scheduled toileting helps manage incontinence but may not be frequent enough to prevent skin breakdown or infection. More frequent toileting may be necessary depending on the patient’s condition and fluid intake. C. Avoiding use of a urinary catheter: Indwelling urinary catheters are a leading cause of healthcare-associated infections (HAIs), particularly catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs). Avoiding their use unless absolutely necessary significantly reduces infection risk. D. Applying absorbent briefs: While absorbent briefs help contain incontinence, they can trap moisture against the skin, creating an environment for bacterial growth if not changed frequently. They are not a primary strategy for infection prevention.