Final answer:
In the case of scabies, a medical assistant should wear a gown alongside gloves. This is because scabies is highly contagious through contact and can contaminate clothing. A mask, goggles, or respirator are not required as scabies is not airborne.
Step-by-step explanation:
When assisting with the physical examination of a patient who has scabies, the medical assistant should wear a gown in addition to gloves. Scabies is caused by a mite that burrows into the skin to lay eggs. It is a highly contagious condition, and while it primarily spreads through direct skin-to-skin contact, it can also spread through contaminated clothing and bedding.
According to safety protocols for health workers, when there is a possibility of contact with infected material or patients, wearing a protective coat or gown is essential. This practice is designed to prevent the transmission of the infection through clothing. Hence, for scabies, a gown is necessary to protect the assistant's clothing from becoming contaminated, while gloves protect the hands. Other pieces of personal protective equipment like a mask, goggles, or respirator are not specifically required for scabies since it is not an airborne disease and does not pose a risk to the eyes or respiratory tract.