Which of the following statements about glove use is false?
A. Gloves must always be worn over polish or artificial nails
B. Gloves can be used instead of handwashing
C. Gloves must be replaced if torn
D. Gloves should be worn over a bandage
The Correct Answer and Explanation is :
The false statement is B. Gloves can be used instead of handwashing.
Explanation:
Glove Use in Healthcare is a critical practice to prevent the spread of infections, both for healthcare workers and patients. However, gloves are not a replacement for hand hygiene. Each statement in the list provides insights into how gloves should be properly used:
- A. Gloves must always be worn over polish or artificial nails – This is true. Long nails, artificial nails, or nail polish can harbor pathogens and reduce the effectiveness of hand hygiene. Therefore, wearing gloves over them provides an additional barrier against infection.
- B. Gloves can be used instead of handwashing – This is false. Gloves are not a substitute for hand hygiene. The World Health Organization (WHO) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) emphasize that hand hygiene (washing hands or using hand sanitizer) must always be performed before donning gloves and after removing them. Wearing gloves alone does not eliminate the risk of cross-contamination because gloves can have microscopic tears, and bacteria can build up on the surface.
- C. Gloves must be replaced if torn – This is true. If gloves tear during use, they are no longer an effective barrier against pathogens and must be replaced immediately to maintain infection control.
- D. Gloves should be worn over a bandage – This is true. Gloves should always be worn over bandages to protect both the wound and others from exposure to potential infections. This prevents bodily fluids or pathogens from being transferred from the wound or to the wound.
In conclusion, hand hygiene and proper glove use go hand in hand. Neglecting hand hygiene because of glove use can lead to the spread of infections in healthcare settings.