What does personal protective equipment (PPE) consist of?

Personal protective equipment (PPE) is a critical aspect of infection control and protection for healthcare workers and patients. It consists of various items designed to protect the user from exposure to hazardous materials or infectious agents. These items typically include gloves, masks, gowns, face shields, and eye protection.

Selecting gloves, masks, and gowns as examples of PPE illustrates the comprehensive nature of these protective measures. Gloves protect the hands from contaminants, masks help prevent respiratory exposure, and gowns keep clothing and skin safe from droplet spread or contact with bodily fluids.

Other choices, like the one that mentions only gloves and masks, fail to encompass the full range of PPE, while the option that refers to special clothing just for doctors limits the understanding of PPE to a specific profession, disregarding its relevance to all healthcare workers. The option discussing basic uniforms overlooks the protective function of PPE entirely. Thus, recognizing the range of items that make up PPE is essential for ensuring safety in healthcare settings.