Final answer:
To properly put on gloves, first wash hands thoroughly and dry them. After using gloves, remove them without touching the exterior to the skin and wash hands again. This practice is particularly important in healthcare and lab settings to prevent contamination.
Step-by-step explanation:
Properly putting on and taking off gloves is essential for maintaining hygiene and preventing contamination. When putting on gloves, ensure that your hands are clean. Wash hands thoroughly with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, making sure to scrub between your fingers, under the clean finger nails, and up to the wrists. After washing, dry your hands completely before donning gloves.
Once you are finished with your tasks, remove the gloves carefully without touching the outside of the gloves to your bare skin, and dispose of them properly in a biohazard garbage if required. Immediately after removing gloves, wash hands again with soap and water, as gloves may not provide complete protection against contaminants. Using a nail brush can be beneficial to remove any debris under the fingernails, and paying special attention to commonly missed areas such as thumbs and wrists is crucial. Handwashing is not only a general practice but is critically important in healthcare settings and labs, where the risk of spreading infection is higher.