Final answer:
Gloves should be worn when touching mucous membranes of a patient. In healthcare, gloves are not worn continuously but are necessary during potential exposure to bodily fluids and contaminated surfaces. Proper handwashing should always follow glove removal.
Step-by-step explanation:
The correct answer to the student's question is that gloves should be worn when touching mucous membranes of a patient. In the field of health care, the proper use of gloves is crucial for preventing the spread of infections and for protecting both the patient and the health care worker. Gloves are typically not required continuously throughout a worker's shift unless they are performing specific tasks that involve potential contact with bodily fluids or contaminated surfaces. As best practice, handwashing should follow the removal of gloves to ensure that any contamination is thoroughly removed. This is especially important in a hospital setting where many potentially infectious agents can be transmitted.
Gloves need to be worn during contact with bodily fluids, handling cultures in a lab setting, or when performing invasive procedures. It is important to ensure that gloves are disposed of properly after use and that hands are washed thoroughly with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds. This helps to remove potential pathogens that may have contaminated the gloves during use or upon removal. It is not necessary or recommended to wear gloves while doing paperwork, even in the presence of an infected patient, or when using the restroom, as standard hand hygiene is more appropriate in these situations.