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NCLEX · Safety and Infection Control

A nurse is putting on personal protective equipment (PPE) for a client on contact and droplet precautions. What is the correct order for DONNING (putting on) PPE?

Reviewed by Jordan Morley, Editorial Lead at 247SimpleTests. Written by the 247SimpleTests Editorial Team from the official source material cited on every question.

Correct answer

Gown, mask/respirator, goggles/face shield, then gloves

  1. A Gown, mask/respirator, goggles/face shield, then gloves
  2. B There is no correct order
  3. C Mask, gloves, gown, goggles
  4. D Gloves, gown, mask, goggles

Why this is the answer

The correct order for DONNING (putting on) PPE is: (1) GOWN; (2) MASK or respirator; (3) GOGGLES or face shield; (4) GLOVES (last, pulled over the gown cuffs). NCLEX safe care/infection control. Memory: 'gown, mask, goggles, gloves.' For DOFFING (removing) PPE, the order is essentially reversed and designed to avoid contamination: GLOVES first (most contaminated), then GOGGLES/face shield, then GOWN, then MASK/respirator LAST (remove the mask outside the room/after leaving) — and perform HAND HYGIENE after removing PPE (and between steps as needed). The doffing order prevents self-contamination from the dirtiest items. Knowing the correct donning and doffing sequence for PPE is a commonly tested NCLEX infection-control concept.
Source: NCLEX Safe Care — PPE Donning/Doffing Order

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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.

New to this exam? Our NCLEX exam guide explains the format, scoring, and how to prepare.

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