CNA Certification (Written Exam)Infection Control and SafetyMedium
A nurse aide is preparing to clean a resident's dentures. Which personal protective equipment (PPE) should the nurse aide don before beginning the task?
- AGown and N95 respirator
- BSterile gloves
- CNon-sterile gloves
- DFace shield
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: C. Non-sterile gloves
Cleaning dentures involves contact with oral secretions and potentially contaminated surfaces. Non-sterile gloves are essential to protect the nurse aide's hands from these body fluids, adhering to standard precautions.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. A gown and N95 respirator are for droplet/airborne precautions, not typically required for denture cleaning unless splashing is highly anticipated or the resident has specific isolation needs.
- B. Sterile gloves are not necessary for routine denture cleaning; non-sterile gloves are sufficient for standard precautions.
- D. A face shield might be considered if there's a high risk of splashing into the eyes or face, but it's not the primary or most essential PPE for this task, which involves direct hand contact.
Standard Precautions: Denture Care
Applying standard infection control practices, primarily hand hygiene and gloves, when handling dentures due to contact with oral secretions.
- Always wear non-sterile gloves.
- Handle dentures over a towel or basin to prevent breakage.
- Rinse with cool/lukewarm water, never hot.
- Store in a labeled cup with water/solution.
Memory trick: Denture duties? Gloves are your beauties!