What is the first step of donning?

NORCET 5 mains

Applied Microbiology & Infection control

Easy

Appeared in: NORCET 5 mains

Explanation

Hand washing (or hand hygiene) is the foundational first step in the standard procedure for donning PPE.
This action removes transient microorganisms and pathogens from the hands, preventing the contamination of the clean PPE items.
Major health organizations like the CDC and WHO mandate hand hygiene as the initial step to break the chain of infection.
Performing hand hygiene first ensures that the healthcare worker does not transfer germs from their hands onto the sterile equipment or, subsequently, to the patient.

Option A: Wearing gloves is the final step of donning, not the first. The gloves must be pulled over the cuffs of the gown to create a complete barrier.
Option C: Wearing the mask is an intermediate step, typically performed after putting on the gown but before putting on eye protection and gloves.
Option D: Wearing the gown is the second step in the donning process, performed immediately after hand hygiene.

Visual 1: Infographic: A clear, step-by-step visual guide showing the correct sequence for both donning (putting on) and doffing (taking off) PPE. This helps reinforce the order of actions for both procedures.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Infection Control and Donning of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Adhering to the correct PPE donning sequence is a critical nursing responsibility that directly impacts patient safety by preventing Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs).
Failure to perform hand hygiene first compromises the entire protective barrier, potentially transferring pathogens to the patient and the healthcare environment.
What if? A nurse is in a hurry and puts on gloves before washing their hands. The outside of the gloves is now contaminated with any germs that were on the nurse's hands. When the nurse then touches the patient or sterile supplies, they are directly transferring those germs, increasing the risk of infection.

How to Approach the Question

Identify the core concept: The question asks for the 'first step' of a specific procedure, 'donning' (putting on PPE).
This is a process-based recall question. You need to remember the standard infection control protocol.
Think logically about the goal: The purpose of PPE is to create a barrier. To avoid contaminating the barrier itself, you must start with clean hands.
Visualize the process: Imagine preparing to enter an isolation room. The very first action you must take before touching any equipment is to clean your hands.
Evaluate the options based on this logic. Gown, mask, and gloves are all items of PPE that would be contaminated if touched with unwashed hands. Therefore, hand washing must come first.

Concept Tested & Keywords

Concept Tested: Infection Control and Donning of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
Stem keywords: first step, donning
Lead-in keywords: What is

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