Final answer:
Medical exam gloves should be worn when in contact with mucous membranes, blood, OPIM, and during any and all clinical and laboratory procedures.
Step-by-step explanation:
Medical exam gloves should be worn whenever there is contact with mucous membranes, blood, Other Potentially Infectious Materials (OPIM), and during any clinical, all clinical, clinical, and laboratory procedures. Therefore, the correct fill-in-the-blank statement is:
a) Mucous, blood, any, all
Mucous membranes serve as a mechanical barrier and are present in areas such as the respiratory, gastrointestinal, urinary, and reproductive tracts. These membranes not only protect against pathogens but also line the body surfaces that are exposed to the external environment. Therefore, it is crucial to wear protective gloves in medical settings to limit the exposure to infectious agents and maintain sterile conditions.