Which action by a new nurse on the burn unit requires intervention by the charge nurse?

Using clean latex gloves when applying antibacterial cream to a burn wound represents a critical oversight in infection control practices. In burn care, maintaining a sterile technique is essential due to the vulnerability of the compromised skin barrier. Although clean gloves are better than bare hands, they are not sufficient for procedures involving open wounds. This is particularly important since burns are highly susceptible to infection, and using sterile gloves is vital to reduce the risk of introducing pathogens.

The charge nurse's intervention is necessary to guide the new nurse in adhering to proper protocols to ensure patient safety and optimize wound healing. By reinforcing the use of sterile gloves and maintaining stringent hygiene practices, the charge nurse helps to establish a standard of care that protects patients in a burn unit, where the risk of infection can significantly impact healing and recovery.