Final answer:
Yes, nurses should wear gloves when applying preparations such as lotions to safeguard against cross-contamination and maintain high hygiene standards in healthcare settings.
Step-by-step explanation:
In general, the nurse should wear gloves when applying skin preparations such as lotions. This practice is true and aligns with infection control protocols in healthcare settings. The use of gloves helps to prevent potential cross-contamination and protects both the nurse and the patient, especially when dealing with open wounds or mucous membranes.
It is important to note that while lotions are often applied with bare hands in non-clinical settings, the healthcare environment demands higher standards of hygiene to minimize the risk of infection. Hence, in medical contexts, personal protective equipment (PPE) including gloves, should be used as recommended by infection control guidelines when handling any preparations that are applied to the skin.