What is the purpose of wearing gloves during first aid?

• A. Protect both patient and responder from infection and contamination
• B. To look professional
• C. To prevent the responder from touching objects
• D. To keep hands dry

Answer: (A)

Gloves create a barrier between your hands and any blood, bodily fluids, or contaminated materials, reducing the chance of spreading infections in both directions. In first aid, you can’t always know what pathogens might be present, so wearing gloves protects the patient from germs on your skin and also protects you from exposure to the patient’s fluids. Use disposable gloves when there’s potential contact with fluids or broken skin, and change them between patients or if they tear or become contaminated. After removing gloves, dispose of them carefully and perform hand hygiene. The main purpose is infection control, not keeping hands dry or making you look professional.