Final answer:
The nurse should begin contact precautions for a client with a draining abscess to prevent the transmission of infectious agents.
Step-by-step explanation:
The nurse caring for a client with a draining abscess will begin contact precautions. Abscesses are often infected with bacteria that can be spread through direct touch or contact with the wound or items or surfaces that might be contaminated with the wound drainage. This is based on guidelines from organizations such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, or CDC, which categorize different infections and instruct healthcare providers on the appropriate precautions to prevent the spread of infection. In this case, contact precautions are designed to prevent the transmission of infectious agents that are spread by direct or indirect contact with the patient or the patient's environment.