Final answer:
1. Gloves and gowns protect healthcare workers from exposure to bloodborne pathogens.
Step-by-step explanation:
The correct answer is 1. Gloves and gowns. Gloves and gowns are personal protective equipment (PPE) that healthcare workers use to protect themselves from exposure to bloodborne pathogens.
These pathogens can be present in body fluids such as blood, and can transmit infections like hepatitis B (HBV) and other illnesses.
Wearing gloves and gowns creates a barrier between the healthcare worker and the potentially infectious material, reducing the risk of transmission.
Healthcare workers should also follow other standard precautions, such as using face protection, disposable syringes and needles, and proper hand hygiene practices, to further minimize the risk of exposure.