What is a key principle of infection control regarding gloves?

• A. Gloves are optional when handling contaminated items.
• B. Wear gloves for all tasks regardless of risk.
• C. Never wash gloves.
• D. Wear gloves for tasks involving body fluids or contaminated items and change between tasks; perform hand hygiene before and after.

Answer: (D)

Gloves act as a protective barrier when there is any chance of contact with body fluids or contaminated items, helping to prevent the spread of infection to both the patient and the caregiver. The best practice is to wear gloves for tasks involving body fluids or contaminated items and to change them between tasks, while performing hand hygiene before putting gloves on and after taking them off. This sequence prevents cross-contamination: clean hands are used to handle everything before gloving, and any organisms picked up during one task are removed when gloves are changed and hands are sanitized. Gloves are not a substitute for hand hygiene and should be discarded after each task or if they become damaged; never reuse or wash them to reuse, as that can spread contaminants. Choices suggesting gloves are optional, worn for all tasks regardless of risk, or never wash gloves don’t align with standard infection-control principles.