Which activities would require PPE due to exposure risk?

Which activities would require PPE due to exposure risk?

• A. Cannulation of an access
• B. Administrative chart review at desk
• C. Delivering meals to the patient
• D. Cleaning the waiting area

Answer: (A)

PPE is used when there is potential contact with blood or body fluids. Cannulating an access brings the nurse into direct contact with blood and a real chance of splashes during needle insertion or withdrawal, so gloves are essential and additional PPE (eye protection, gown, or mask) may be used depending on the situation and policy. This direct exposure risk is why this activity requires PPE. Administrative chart review at a desk involves no direct contact with blood or body fluids, so PPE isn’t required. Delivering meals to the patient also doesn’t involve handling blood; PPE isn’t routinely used for that task unless a spill or other contamination occurs. Cleaning the waiting area could involve contact with contaminated surfaces, so gloves are common during cleaning, but the activity with clear blood-exposure risk is the cannulation procedure.

PPE is used when there is potential contact with blood or body fluids. Cannulating an access brings the nurse into direct contact with blood and a real chance of splashes during needle insertion or withdrawal, so gloves are essential and additional PPE (eye protection, gown, or mask) may be used depending on the situation and policy. This direct exposure risk is why this activity requires PPE.

Administrative chart review at a desk involves no direct contact with blood or body fluids, so PPE isn’t required. Delivering meals to the patient also doesn’t involve handling blood; PPE isn’t routinely used for that task unless a spill or other contamination occurs. Cleaning the waiting area could involve contact with contaminated surfaces, so gloves are common during cleaning, but the activity with clear blood-exposure risk is the cannulation procedure.