Which additional personal protective equipment should a nurse wear when assessing a patient on contact precautions for Clostridium difficile?

When assessing a patient on contact precautions for Clostridium difficile, the additional personal protective equipment a nurse should wear is a gown. This is essential because Clostridium difficile can spread through contact with contaminated surfaces, equipment, or direct contact with an infected patient's skin. A gown helps protect the nurse’s uniform and skin from potential contamination.

Gloves are also important when caring for such patients, but they are typically standard practice in scenarios requiring contact precautions. However, gloves alone do not provide sufficient protection against the potential spread of spores that can persist on surfaces and clothing. Therefore, the proper combination of gloves and a gown is necessary to ensure comprehensive safety measures.

Using a mask or face shield is generally not required for contact precautions related to Clostridium difficile unless there are additional respiratory considerations involved with the patient's condition. Such equipment is more suited for situations where there is a risk of splashes or sprays of bodily fluids, which is not the primary concern with Clostridium difficile.