Final answer:
Gloves should be removed after taking off the lab coat to minimize the risk of self-contamination and to ensure a clean and safe laboratory work environment.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question pertains to the proper sequence of removing personal protective equipment (PPE) in a laboratory setting. Removing gloves is an important step in preventing self-contamination and maintaining a clean work environment. According to standard laboratory protocols, gloves should be removed after taking off other equipment that is more likely to come into contact with your face or exposed areas. Therefore, the correct answer would be C. After lab coat. This sequence helps to minimize the risk of spreading contaminants from the gloves to other areas of your body or personal clothing during the process of undressing from PPE.
Simply put, removing your lab coat minimizes the risk of contaminating your hands and wrists, and disposing of your gloves afterward further prevents the potential for cross-contamination. Following this process ensures that all potentially contaminated PPE is removed in a manner that protects both the laboratory worker and the work environment.