How should you handle a resident’s clothing during transfers to prevent contamination?

• A. Keep clothing clean and dry; avoid dragging; use transfer sheets to minimize contact with clothing.
• B. Drag clothing across surfaces to finish quickly.
• C. Remove all clothing before transfers.
• D. Soak clothing in water to reduce friction.

Answer: (A)

Maintaining cleanliness and minimizing contact during transfers helps prevent contamination. Keeping the resident’s clothing clean and dry reduces the chance that dirt, germs, or moisture will spread to surfaces or other people. Avoiding dragging the clothing prevents friction and further contamination of the environment or the clothes themselves. Using transfer sheets provides a barrier that lowers direct contact with clothing, reduces skin shear, and helps keep the resident covered and safe during the move.

Dragging clothing across surfaces increases contamination risk and can cause skin injury. Removing all clothing is unsafe and impractical for most transfers and violates privacy and safety. Soaking clothing introduces moisture, which can promote microbial growth and create slippery conditions.