Final answer:
Administering childhood immunizations is the nursing action that protects the patient as a susceptible host in the chain of infection, as it confers long-term immunity against specific diseases.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question asks, Which nursing action protects the patient as a susceptible host in the chain of infection? The correct answer to this inquiry is administering childhood immunizations. This practice is fundamental in breaking the chain of infection by providing the susceptible host (in this case, the patient) with adaptive immunity to fend off infectious agents. It is a proactive measure that directly reduces the patient's risk of acquiring illnesses. While wearing personal protective equipment (PPE), disposing of soiled gloves, and recapping needles are important infection control practices, they do not alter the patient's susceptibility to infection in the same way immunizations do.
Vaccinations stimulate the immune system to develop protection and memory against specific pathogens. Childhood immunizations are particularly crucial as they lay the foundation for an individual's lifelong defense against various infectious diseases. Hence, in a clinical setting, administering vaccines is a direct approach to target the susceptible host link within the chain of infection, thereby offering the patient a layer of protection that can last for years or even a lifetime.