Final answer:
The last piece of PPE a phlebotomist should remove are the gloves, to prevent contamination from materials they have been in direct contact with.
Step-by-step explanation:
The piece of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) a phlebotomist should take off last is the gloves. When a phlebotomist, or any medical professional, removes PPE, it is crucial to follow a specific sequence to prevent contamination. The recommended order, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), typically ends with glove removal because gloves are in direct contact with blood specimens and potentially infectious material. Therefore, removing the gloves last minimizes the risk of contaminating other parts of the body or clothing. After taking off the gloves, the phlebotomist should perform hand hygiene immediately to ensure that any contaminants that may have gotten onto their hands during glove removal are eliminated.