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NCLEX · Safety and Infection Control

What is the proper sequence for donning (putting on) and doffing (removing) personal protective equipment (PPE)?

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Correct answer

Donning: gown, mask/respirator, goggles, gloves. Doffing: gloves, goggles, gown, mask/respirator. The principle is to minimize self-contamination during removal

  1. A Same sequence for both
  2. B Random order is fine
  3. C Donning: gown, mask/respirator, goggles, gloves. Doffing: gloves, goggles, gown, mask/respirator. The principle is to minimize self-contamination during removal
  4. D Mask first, then everything else simultaneously

Why this is the answer

PPE sequence is critical to prevent self-contamination. Donning (clean to contaminated): (1) Perform hand hygiene; (2) Gown — tied at neck and waist; (3) Mask or respirator — secure with ties or elastic; (4) Goggles or face shield — over the eyes; (5) Gloves — extending over gown cuffs. Doffing (contaminated to clean) is reversed and most critical because items are now contaminated: (1) Gloves — remove first because they are most contaminated; (2) Goggles or face shield — handle by the strap behind the head, not the front; (3) Gown — untie and roll inward, contaminated side in; (4) Mask or respirator — handle by ties or elastic, not the front; (5) Perform hand hygiene. The mask/respirator is removed last because it protected the airway throughout. Hand hygiene is performed between steps when the next item must be handled cleanly. CDC offers detailed posters for clinical reference.
Source: NCLEX-RN Test Plan, Infection Control — PPE Sequence

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About this topic: Safety and Infection Control

Safety and infection control questions cover Standard and transmission-based precautions, isolation set-up, sterile technique, error prevention, restraints, and emergency and disaster response. This is one of 24 RN: Safe and Effective Care Environment questions on safety and infection control, each with a full explanation on a single study page.

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