When donning personal protective equipment (PPE) for a client with MRSA, which is the correct order?

The correct order for donning personal protective equipment (PPE) when caring for a client with Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is gown, mask, goggles, and then gloves.

Donning PPE in this sequence is crucial for preventing contamination and ensuring the safety of both the healthcare provider and the patient.

Beginning with the gown, this provides a protective barrier against contamination from the patient's environment and fluids. Following this, putting on the mask helps to protect the respiratory system from droplet transmission, while goggles shield the eyes from potential exposure to infectious materials. Finally, gloves are put on last to provide a protective barrier for the hands, which may come in contact with contaminated surfaces or body fluids during patient care. By donning gloves last, it minimizes the risk of contamination to the respiratory system and eyes that could occur if they were put on first.

This order effectively addresses the routes of potential exposure and ensures that protective measures are in place before engaging in any patient-related activities. Proper sequence is vital in infection control practices, especially with resistant organisms like MRSA.