Canadian Society for Medical Laboratory Science (CSMLS) Practice Exam

When should gloves be removed?

1. A small tear appears in the materials

2. Visibly contaminated with blood

3. Answering the telephone

4. All the above

The correct answer is: All the above

Gloves should be removed in various situations to ensure safety and prevent contamination. When a small tear appears in the materials, the integrity of the glove is compromised, increasing the risk of exposure to pathogens or harmful substances. Similarly, if gloves are visibly contaminated with blood, removing them is essential to prevent the spread of infectious agents to oneself or others. Furthermore, answering the telephone while wearing contaminated gloves can transfer microbes to the phone and subsequently to the face or other surfaces. Therefore, the protocol of removing gloves after any of these scenarios is crucial to maintaining hygiene and safety standards in a healthcare environment. Each situation presented highlights the importance of proper glove use and disposal practices to avoid cross-contamination and ensure the wellbeing of both healthcare providers and patients.