A nurse is assisting with the care of a client who has partial-thickness and full-thickness burns to his upper torso and face. Which of the following actions should the nurse take to prevent infection?

A. Place new linen on the client's bed every other day: While changing linen regularly is important for maintaining cleanliness and preventing infection, waiting every other day may not be sufficient for a client with burns, especially if there is wound drainage or soiling. Linens should be changed more frequently, ideally daily or as needed, to ensure cleanliness and prevent the spread of infection.

B. Change gloves between sites when providing wound care to multiple wounds: This is a correct action. Changing gloves between sites when providing wound care helps prevent the spread of infection from one wound to another. It reduces the risk of cross-contamination and helps maintain a sterile environment during wound care procedures.

C. Change the dressing on infected wounds first: This is incorrect. Dressings on infected wounds should be changed promptly to prevent the spread of infection. However, changing the dressing on infected wounds first may lead to contamination of other wound sites if proper precautions are not taken. It's important to follow proper infection control procedures, including changing gloves between wound sites and using aseptic technique.

D. Monitor vital signs every 4 hr: Monitoring vital signs is important for assessing the client's overall condition, but it is not directly related to preventing infection. Vital signs may indicate signs of infection, such as fever or increased heart rate, but they do not prevent infection on their own. Other measures, such as wound care and infection control practices, are more directly related to preventing infection in clients with burns.