What is the appropriate action the nurse should take before entering the room of a client with AIDS?

The appropriate action for the nurse to take before entering the room of a client with AIDS is to perform hand hygiene. Proper hand hygiene is a fundamental practice in infection control and is essential in preventing the transmission of pathogens in healthcare settings. It involves thoroughly washing hands with soap and water or using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer to eliminate microorganisms that might be present. This practice helps protect both the nurse and the client from the potential spread of infections.

In the context of a client with AIDS, who may have a compromised immune system, ensuring clean hands before any interaction is particularly critical to minimize the risk of infections. Hand hygiene is considered one of the most effective ways to prevent healthcare-associated infections, making it an essential first step before entering any patient’s room.

While wearing gloves and gowns, reviewing the client's viral load, or obtaining a disposable stethoscope may also be relevant actions within specific contexts of patient care and safety, none of these replace the necessity of performing hand hygiene as the first line of defense in infection control.