Final answer:
Current agency policies require healthcare professionals to wear gloves when performing routine nursing care. This is to ensure patient and provider safety and prevent the transmission of infections. Gloves act as a barrier between the healthcare professional's hands and patient's body fluids.
Step-by-step explanation:
Current Agency Policies Governing the Wearing of Gloves in Routine Nursing Care
In healthcare settings, it is standard practice for healthcare professionals, including nurses, to wear gloves when performing routine nursing care. These policies are in place to ensure patient and healthcare provider safety and prevent the transmission of infections.
The rational behind these policies is that gloves act as a barrier between the healthcare professional's hands and the patient's body fluids, which may contain harmful microorganisms. By wearing gloves, healthcare providers reduce the risk of microbial transmission and cross-contamination between patients.
Additionally, gloves provide an extra layer of protection for healthcare providers, preventing their hands from coming into direct contact with potentially hazardous substances. This is particularly important when performing tasks that involve exposure to blood, bodily fluids, or open wounds.