The nurse is caring for a patient who needs a protective environment. The nurse has provided the care needed and is now leaving the room. In which order will the nurse remove the personal protective equipment, beginning with the first step?

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: Step 1: The first step in removing personal protective equipment (PPE) is to remove gloves to prevent contamination. Step 2: After removing gloves, the nurse can then proceed to remove other PPE items such as gown, eyewear, and face shield. Step 3: Removing gloves first minimizes the risk of transferring pathogens from contaminated gloves to other parts of the PPE or the nurse's skin. Step 4: This order of removal maintains proper infection control practices and reduces the risk of self-contamination. Removing gloves first is crucial in preventing the spread of infection. Other choices are incorrect because they do not follow the correct sequence for PPE removal, which could lead to contamination and compromise safety.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: Hands should be kept higher than elbows during washing to allow water and microbes to flow downward, away from the body.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: Bacteria are the most common cause of postoperative wound infections due to their prevalence and ability to thrive in such environments.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: Coughing and sneezing release droplets into the air, making the airborne route the most likely transmission method.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: Urinary catheterization poses the highest risk due to the potential for introducing bacteria into the urinary tract.