Which action contributes to infection control when assisting a patient with a urinal?

Applying gloves before emptying and cleaning the patient's urinal is a crucial action that significantly contributes to infection control. Gloves act as a barrier between the healthcare worker and any potentially infectious materials, such as urine, which may contain pathogens. By wearing gloves, the risk of cross-contamination and the spread of infections is minimized, protecting both the patient and the healthcare worker.

This practice aligns with standard infection control protocols that emphasize hand hygiene and the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) when dealing with bodily fluids. It ensures that any contamination that might occur during the handling of the urinal is contained, and further sanitary measures can be taken after the task is completed.

The other options, while they may have beneficial aspects in terms of hygiene and care, do not directly address the core principle of preventing pathogen transmission during the specific action of emptying and cleaning a urinal. For example, placing a clean urinal on the overbed table does not protect against exposure to contamination, and while it’s useful to protect linens, it does not mitigate the risk of direct contact with infectious materials. Additionally, asking the patient if they would like to clean themselves does not inherently contribute to the infection control process during the handling of the urinal itself.