To prevent contamination and protect your hands, you should _________.

• A. Wash hands only after procedure
• B. Wear gloves for all procedures
• C. Reuse gloves
• D. Wear gloves only for certain procedures

Answer: (B)

Wearing gloves for all procedures provides a consistent barrier between your skin and potentially infectious materials, protecting both you and the patient from contamination. Gloves are designed to prevent transfer of blood, bodily fluids, saliva, or contaminated instruments to your hands and to surfaces you touch. By using gloves for every procedure, you minimize the risk of cross-contamination that can occur during routine tasks as well as during splashes or accidental contact with non-intact skin.

Remember that gloves are part of a broader hand hygiene routine. You should wash your hands before putting gloves on and after removing them, and you must change gloves between patients or if the gloves become torn, contaminated, or after contact with one patient’s fluids before moving to the next task. Gloves do not replace handwashing, and they should never be reused.

The other options fall short because washing only after a procedure leaves hands unprotected during work, reusing gloves is unsafe, and wearing gloves only for certain procedures can miss moments of exposure. Wearing gloves for all procedures ensures a reliable level of protection throughout the entire encounter.