After performing oral suctioning on a client on contact and airborne precautions, in which order would you remove PPE and perform hand hygiene?

• A. Remove gloves, remove goggles, remove gown, remove N95 respirator, perform hand hygiene
• B. Remove gloves, remove gown, remove goggles, remove N95 respirator, perform hand hygiene
• C. Remove gloves, remove goggles, remove gown, remove N95 respirator, perform hand hygiene
• D. Remove goggles, remove gloves, remove N95 respirator, remove gown, perform hand hygiene

Answer: (C)

The main idea is doffing PPE in a sequence that minimizes self-contamination. After caring for a patient with both contact and airborne precautions, you remove the items in this order: gloves first, then eye protection (goggles or face shield), then the gown, then the respirator (N95), and finally you perform hand hygiene.

Starting with gloves makes sense because they’re the most contaminated from direct patient contact. Removing them first prevents spreading germs to the other PPE. Next, take off eye protection to avoid touching your eyes with contaminated surfaces, then remove the gown so your skin and clothing aren’t exposed to any remaining contaminants on the gown. The respirator comes off after the other PPE is removed, using the straps to avoid touching the contaminated front, and then you wash your hands. Completing hand hygiene at the end (or between steps if hands become soiled) ensures any residual contamination is removed and reduces the risk of transferring pathogens to yourself or others.