PPE is protective when used correctly — and counterproductive when overused or inconsistently applied. Clinical judgment means using the right protection for the right risk.

Section 01

Standard Precautions — The Baseline

Standard Precautions apply to ALL patients regardless of known infection status — because any patient may carry infectious organisms not yet identified. They require:

  • Hand hygiene at all five WHO moments for all clients
  • Gloves for anticipated contact with blood, body fluids, non-intact skin, or mucous membranes
  • Mask and eye protection when there is splash/spray risk
  • Gown when body fluid contact is anticipated or client is on contact precautions
  • Safe sharps handling — never recap by hand
Section 02

Transmission-Based Precautions

🤝

Contact Precautions

MRSA, C. diff, VRE, scabies. Require: gloves + gown for all room entry. Soap and water (not sanitizer) for C. diff. Dedicate equipment to this client.

💧

Droplet Precautions

Influenza, pertussis, meningitis. Require: surgical mask during all close contact within 6 feet.

💨

Airborne Precautions

TB, measles, varicella. Require: N95 respirator. In home care, consider whether visits can be limited until treatment is established.

Section 03

The Cost of Over-Gloving

✓ Over-use of PPE has real costs
  • Clients feel stigmatized and "untouchable" — especially important where relationship is central to care
  • Caregivers are less compliant with changing gloves between tasks when wearing continuously
  • Protective human touch — a hand on a shoulder — is reduced, affecting wellbeing
PPE not required for: routine intact-skin contact, feeding (no oral lesions), hair care, ambulation, vital signs, general companionship — when no contact precaution organism and no open wounds.
Section 04

When the Care Plan Specifies PPE

⚠ Always follow the care plan
The nurse specified PPE in the care plan for reasons that may not be visible in the record. Follow it. If specified PPE is not available at the home, contact supervisor before the visit. If the client refuses PPE, document and report to the nurse.
Section 05

Module 2 Complete

✓ Module 2: Personal Protective Equipment complete
You now have a complete picture of PPE — glove selection, mask types, gowns and eye protection, donning/doffing sequence, and clinical judgment about when to use it. Module 3 covers wound care and infection prevention.
Knowledge Check

Lesson 5 Quiz

5 questions · Passing score: 80%
Question 1
Standard Precautions apply to:
Question 2
A client has been diagnosed with influenza. The required precaution level is:
Question 3
A client on contact precautions for MRSA requires dedicated equipment. This means:
Question 4
A client declines to allow the caregiver to wear gloves during wound care. The caregiver should:
Question 5
Continuous gloving throughout a visit for a client without contact precautions is problematic because: