When should PPE be worn?

• A. When there will be contact with blood or other bodily fluids.
• B. During routine administrative tasks only.
• C. PPE is never required in clinical settings.
• D. Only for chemical spills

Answer: (A)

PPE is used to protect you from exposure to infectious materials, so you wear it whenever there’s potential contact with blood or other bodily fluids. In healthcare, activities that involve drawing or administering blood, handling specimens, cleaning spills, or entering a patient’s intimate areas all carry this risk, so gloves, gowns, masks, and eye protection are appropriate based on the situation. Routine administrative tasks don’t involve contact with bodily fluids, so PPE isn’t needed there. It’s not correct to say PPE is never required in clinical settings, since protecting against splashes, aerosols, and contaminated surfaces is a daily safety concern. It isn’t limited to chemical spills; PPE is used for a broad range of exposure risks, adjusted to the level of risk and in line with standard precautions.