What is the appropriate action for a nurse caring for a client on contact precautions?

Placing the client in a private room is the appropriate action for a nurse caring for a client on contact precautions. This practice is essential for infection control as it helps to prevent the spread of infection to other patients, visitors, and healthcare personnel. By isolating the patient, the risk of transmitting pathogens through direct or indirect contact is minimized.

Contact precautions are employed for patients known or suspected to be infected with infections that can be transmitted by skin-to-skin contact or through items such as bed linens and medical equipment that may become contaminated. A private room serves as the best line of defense in protecting others from potential exposure.

In contrast, keeping the door open at all times can increase the risk of transmission, as it allows for increased interaction between the infected patient and the external environment. Using a mask while handling the client is typically not necessary for contact precautions unless there is a risk of respiratory transmission or the presence of other specific infections. Limiting visitors to only family members does not adequately address the need for infection control; rather, controlling the environment through isolation is necessary to reduce the risk of spread. Therefore, the most effective initial measure is to place the client in a private room.