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Difficulty: EasyStandard and Transmission-Based Precautions

A facility evaluator is observing a staff member don personal protective equipment prior to entering a room that requires contact and droplet precautions. The staff member has just performed hand hygiene and secured a clean isolation gown. What is the correct next step in the donning sequence?

  1. Apply a standard surgical mask.Answer
  2. B
    Secure a protective face shield.
  3. C
    Pull on clean, non-sterile gloves.
  4. D
    Perform hand hygiene again.

Answer

Apply a standard surgical mask.
The correct sequence for donning personal protective equipment is to perform hand hygiene, don the gown, secure the mask or respirator, apply goggles or a face shield, and finally pull on the gloves. Because the staff member has just secured the gown, applying the surgical mask is the immediate next step to properly protect the respiratory tract before addressing eye protection or hand coverage.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Recall the standardized Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) sequence for donning personal protective equipment.
The correct sequence is: hand hygiene, gown, mask or respirator, goggles or face shield, and finally gloves.
Adhering to the specific order ensures optimal protection and minimizes the risk of cross-contamination.
2
Determine the staff member's current progression in the donning sequence based on the scenario.
The staff member has successfully completed hand hygiene and secured the isolation gown.
Identifying the current step allows the nurse to accurately determine the immediate next required action.
3
Select the appropriate item that follows the gown in the sequence.
The standard surgical mask must be applied next to protect the mucous membranes.
The mask must be secured to the face before placing the face shield over it, and gloves are always applied last over the gown cuffs.

Key Concept

Standard PPE Donning Sequence
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Topics

Standard and Transmission-Based Precautions

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