Question

A 68-year-old female complains of respiratory distress. She says that she has been sick for three days, and she has a history of COPD. You note that she is coughing forcefully into a napkin. Which of the following would be the most appropriate personal protective equipment for use on this scene?

1) Mask and eye protection
2) Gloves and eye protection
3) Gloves, eye protection, and mask
4) Gloves and gown

Answer 1

The most suitable personal protective equipment for a provider interacting with a coughing 68-year-old COPD patient is gloves, eye protection, and a mask, which minimize the risk of spreading infectious agents.

Step-by-step explanation:

In the scenario of a 68-year-old female with respiratory distress and a history of COPD who is coughing forcefully, the most appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) to use would be: gloves, eye protection, and a mask. This combination of PPE ensures protection against potential droplet transmission through coughing, which can spread infectious agents like viruses or bacteria. Given that the patient is showing symptoms related to respiratory illness and given her COPD condition, it's particularly important to protect both the mucous membranes of the eyes and the respiratory system. This aligns with the principles of infection control to minimize the risk of disease transmission. Therefore, the correct option for the best PPE is option 3) Gloves, eye protection, and mask.