A nurse is caring for a client admitted for alcohol use disorder who reports using alcohol to deal with stress. Which of the following actions should the nurse take to assist the client in maintaining self-control of the behavior?

A. Patient-centered care: This competency focuses on respecting client preferences, values, and needs while involving them in care decisions. Completing an incident report does not directly address individualized client care.

B. Evidence-based practice: Evidence-based practice involves integrating the best current research evidence with clinical expertise and patient values. Documenting an incident report is not based on reviewing or applying research evidence.

C. Informatics: Informatics involves using information technology to communicate, manage knowledge, and support decision-making. While an incident report may use electronic systems, the primary purpose is not focused on informatics competency.

D. Quality improvement: Completing an incident report identifies errors, near misses, or adverse events, which helps the healthcare team analyze processes and implement changes to improve patient safety. This reflects the quality improvement competency by contributing to safer care systems.

Rationale:

A. Wear a gown while providing personal hygiene: Contact precautions are required for clients with Clostridium difficile to prevent transmission via contaminated surfaces or direct contact. Wearing a gown during personal care protects the nurse’s clothing and skin from spores.

B. Place the client in a room with negative airflow: Negative airflow rooms are required for airborne infections such as tuberculosis or measles. C. difficile is spread via the fecal–oral route and does not require airborne isolation measures.

C. Apply a mask when providing care: Masks are necessary for droplet or airborne pathogens, but C. difficile spores are transmitted through direct or indirect contact, not respiratory droplets, so masks are not routinely required unless there is another indication.

D. Wipe the stethoscope with alcohol after leaving the client's room: C. difficile spores are resistant to alcohol-based disinfectants. Cleaning equipment requires soap and water or a sporicidal disinfectant to effectively remove spores and prevent spread.