Final answer:
The surgical gloves should be removed last by the surgical technologist to prevent contamination after other items have been safely discarded.
Step-by-step explanation:
To prevent contamination at the end of a surgical procedure, the item that should be removed LAST by the surgical technologist in the scrub role is the surgical gloves. The removal of patient's drapes, surgical gown, and Mayo stand drape should precede the removal of surgical gloves to ensure the highest level of asepsis. Keeping gloves on until the end protects both the patient and the healthcare worker from potential contaminants. After all other items are safely removed and disposed of, the gloves can then be taken off, followed by thorough handwashing to reduce any residual microbes.