What is the correct sequence for DONNING (putting on) personal protective equipment (PPE)?

PPE DONNING SEQUENCE (putting ON): (1) GOWN first; (2) MASK or respirator; (3) GOGGLES or face shield; (4) GLOVES last (gloves go over the gown cuffs); MNEMONIC: 'Gown, mask, goggles, gloves'; DOFFING SEQUENCE (taking OFF) — reverse and based on most contaminated first: (1) GLOVES first (most contaminated); (2) GOGGLES/face shield; (3) GOWN; (4) MASK/respirator last (remove after leaving the room for respirators); WHY ORDER MATTERS: Donning order ensures proper coverage and that gloves seal the gown; doffing order removes the most contaminated items first while preventing self-contamination; HAND HYGIENE: Perform before donning and after doffing (and during doffing if hands become contaminated); the doffing sequence is more commonly tested because errors during removal are the highest contamination risk; LPN role: don and doff PPE correctly to prevent transmission and self-contamination.