Final answer:
When educating about personal protective equipment, instruct that masks should not be reused, gloves should be worn beyond visibly soiled items, and protective gear like gowns must be donned before entering a patient's room. Goggles can serve as an alternative to face shields, and thorough hand hygiene is crucial in preventing infection transmission.
Step-by-step explanation:
When teaching a newly licensed nurse about personal protective equipment (PPE), it is important to emphasize certain best practices to ensure safety and infection control. First and foremost, masks should not be reused, even if they appear clean, to avoid the risk of contamination. Instead, they should be disposed of properly after use.
Secondly, the use of gloves should not be limited to only visibly soiled items. Gloves are an important barrier protection and should be worn according to the situation and potential exposure to bodily fluids or infectious materials. Once the task requiring glove use is completed, gloves should be disposed of in biohazard garbage, and hands should be washed thoroughly.
Additionally, goggles or safety glasses should be worn as protective eyewear when there is a risk of splashes or exposure to infectious materials. Goggles can be used as an alternative to face shields, depending on the level of protection required. It's also important to put on protective gear such as a gown before entering the patient's room to reduce the risk of contamination.
Proper hand hygiene is critical for healthcare workers. Hands should be washed thoroughly between every patient contact, after glove removal, and whenever they may be contaminated. Following strict protocols for hand hygiene and the correct use of PPE will greatly reduce the risk of transmitting infections within healthcare settings.