Which statement about donning and removing gloves is true?

• A. There is a specific technique for properly donning and removing gloves.
• B. Gloves can be reused for multiple patients after cleaning.
• C. Nonsterile gloves are never appropriate for blood collection.
• D. Wearing gloves eliminates the need for handwashing.

Answer: (A)

There is a specific technique for putting gloves on and taking them off to prevent contaminating your hands and the surrounding environment. When you don gloves, start with clean hands, choose the right size, and slide your hands in without touching the outside surfaces, ensuring a snug fit so the barrier remains intact. For removal, grasp the outside of one glove at the wrist and peel it away from the hand, turning it inside out as you go. Hold the removed glove in the gloved hand, slip a finger of your bare hand under the remaining glove’s wrist, and peel the second glove off, turning it inside out and enclosing it with the first glove. Dispose properly and perform hand hygiene immediately afterward.

Gloves are single-use and cannot be made safe for reuse by cleaning or disinfecting, so they do not justify reusing between patients. Nonsterile gloves can be appropriate for many routine procedures, including blood collection, but sterile gloves are required for sterile technique. Wearing gloves does not replace hand hygiene; hands should be washed before donning and after doffing.