What is the minimum PPE for approaching a patient where infectious status is unknown?

What is the minimum PPE for approaching a patient where infectious status is unknown?

• A. N95 respirator
• B. Face shield
• C. Gloves
• D. Gown

Answer: (C)

Gloves are the essential, lowest-barrier protection when approaching a patient with unknown infectious status. They provide a basic shield against contact with blood and other bodily fluids, which are common routes for transmitting infections during direct patient care. Because you don’t know what you’ll encounter, wearing gloves minimizes the immediate risk of contaminating your hands and, by extension, other surfaces or yourself. The other PPE items are additional protections you’d add based on the situation: an N95 respirator is for airborne risks, a face shield protects the eyes from splashes, and a gown protects clothing and skin from fluids. None of those are required for every unknown-status encounter, whereas gloves are the foundational protection you should have every time you begin direct care. Always complement gloves with proper hand hygiene before and after patient contact, and add other PPE as the exposure risk dictates.

Gloves are the essential, lowest-barrier protection when approaching a patient with unknown infectious status. They provide a basic shield against contact with blood and other bodily fluids, which are common routes for transmitting infections during direct patient care. Because you don’t know what you’ll encounter, wearing gloves minimizes the immediate risk of contaminating your hands and, by extension, other surfaces or yourself.

The other PPE items are additional protections you’d add based on the situation: an N95 respirator is for airborne risks, a face shield protects the eyes from splashes, and a gown protects clothing and skin from fluids. None of those are required for every unknown-status encounter, whereas gloves are the foundational protection you should have every time you begin direct care. Always complement gloves with proper hand hygiene before and after patient contact, and add other PPE as the exposure risk dictates.