Final answer:
A patient who is at risk for developing an infection may have either a nursing diagnosis or a collaborative problem, depending on the cause, and the nurse should take specific measures to protect the patient from infection.
Step-by-step explanation:
The nurse recognizes that a patient who is at risk for developing an infection may have either a nursing diagnosis or a collaborative problem, depending on the etiology. This means that the patient's problem can be addressed by both the nurse and other healthcare professionals working together. It is not always a nursing diagnosis or a collaborative problem. The nurse should take appropriate measures to protect the patient from infection, as it is a special problem that requires specific attention.