NCLEX Memory Hints: Personal Protective Equipment
Thursday, February 20, 2025
Fundamental Skills: Personal Protective Equipment
NCLEX Memory Hints © BrainyNurses.com
Personal protective equipment (PPE) is used any time there is risk of contamination. Contaminated areas include anything in the front and the sleeves. To remove PPE while touching the inside surfaces, the order (according to the textbook) is gloves, goggles or face shield, mask or respirator, and then wash your hands.
In facilities, there are guidelines for each type of situation and the PPE that is required. These include contact and droplet precautions. Also, airborne with the use of a negative pressure room and an N-95 mask for tuberculosis, rubeola (measles), and SARS-CoV-2. If a negative pressure room is not available, the alternative is a provision for good ventilation such as open windows. Reverse isolation is used when the patient is immunocompromised. Much of this is determined by the CDC and other infectious disease organizations.
Gloves are required for any contact with body secretions and excretions.
Masks are required when within 3 feet of the patient in droplet precautions and for transport outside of the room and to another department, such as radiology.
Gowns are required for a bath or any type of activity where you will lean over the patient and contact might occur with body fluids.
Goggles are required any time there is a risk of splashing.
Clinical Scenarios
Consider these two scenarios and what type of PPE you would wear? (Based on the textbook.)
Scenario #1: Changing an incontinent patient.
Scenario #2: Emptying a urinary catheter.
Textbook answers
• For both scenarios, you should have chosen gloves.
• When changing an incontinent patient, there is risk of contamination to your clothing, and a gown should be worn, in addition to the gloves.
• When emptying a urinary catheter, there is a risk of contamination and splashing. Gloves, gown, and goggles would be appropriate.
Memory Hint for PPE
“More is always better than less as long as it is appropriate.”
Summary
In preparing for the NCLEX exam, the choice of PPE should be what the textbook indicates keeping in mind “More PPE is always better than less” if it is appropriate. A difficulty for students is what they see in the clinical environment. NCEX is based on textbook and not on individual policies and procedures, and practices that health care professionals have adopted.
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