Final answer:
When leaving the room of a patient with multidrug-resistant TB, the medical assistant should remove gloves first, then the gown, and finally the mask, followed by hand hygiene to prevent contamination.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the scenario where a medical assistant has to collect a blood specimen from a patient infected with multidrug-resistant TB, the correct protocol for removing personal protective equipment (PPE) after leaving the patient's room is critical for preventing the spread of infection. The medical assistant should follow a precise order when removing PPE to minimize the risk of contamination. The recommended process usually involves the following steps: first, carefully remove gloves to avoid touching the outside of the gloves with bare skin, then remove the gown by untying or breaking the fasteners, and carefully pulling it away from the body without touching the outer surface. Finally, remove the mask without touching the front of it. This ensures that potentially contaminated PPE does not come into contact with the medical assistant's skin or clothing.
It is essential to perform hand hygiene immediately after removing all PPE. Following these steps diligently helps protect both the healthcare workers and other patients from the risk of transmission of serious infectious diseases like multidrug-resistant TB.