What should the nurse do after assisting a patient with a gown change in relation to infection control?

After assisting a patient with a gown change, the appropriate action in relation to infection control involves disposing of any contaminated items properly. This is crucial because contaminated items, such as used gowns, can harbor pathogens that could lead to the spread of infection. Proper disposal minimizes the risk of transmission, ensuring a safer environment for both the patient and healthcare workers.

This action underscores the principles of infection control, which aim to break the chain of infection by appropriately managing biohazardous materials. It is essential for nurses and other healthcare providers to follow guidelines that dictate the safe handling and disposal of potentially contaminated materials to maintain a hygienic healthcare setting.

While reporting signs of infection, cleaning the area, and wearing additional protective clothing may also be important elements of infection control in certain situations, they are secondary to the immediate action of disposing of any contaminated items following a gown change. Each of these additional steps has its place, but proper disposal is a fundamental and critical first step after any procedure that involves potentially contaminated materials.