12. A patient who is on droplet precautions requires daily blood glucose monitoring. Besides gloves, what piece of personal protective equipment must the phlebotomist wear when drawing the sample?
Answer: B
A mask must be worn by the phlebotomist when drawing the blood sample.
In a droplet precautions scenario, it is essential for the phlebotomist to wear a mask to protect themselves from potential infectious droplets that may be transmitted during the procedure.
A) Shoe covers
Shoe covers are not necessary for droplet precautions and do not provide protection against respiratory droplets. They are typically used in situations where there is a risk of contamination from surfaces or biological materials, which is not the primary concern in this context.
B) Mask
Wearing a mask is critical when dealing with droplet precautions, as it helps to prevent inhalation of infectious droplets that may be released when the patient talks, coughs, or sneezes. This makes it the correct piece of personal protective equipment required in this scenario.
C) Gown
While gowns are important for protecting against contact with potentially contaminated surfaces or fluids, they are not specifically required for droplet precautions unless there is a risk of significant exposure. In this context, the mask is the more crucial piece of equipment.
D) Goggles
Goggles are not typically required for droplet precautions unless there is a risk of splash or spray of infectious materials into the eyes. Therefore, they do not meet the specific protective needs associated with droplet transmission in this case.
Conclusion
The necessity of wearing a mask is crucial to ensure the safety of the phlebotomist and to minimize the risk of transmission of infectious agents. Other options, such as shoe covers, gowns, and goggles, do not directly address the primary concern of droplet transmission, making the mask the definitive choice in this situation.