Which term refers to the protective equipment used to protect healthcare workers (gown, gloves, mask, eye protection) as needed?

• A. Hand Hygiene
• B. Personal Protective Equipment
• C. Standard Precautions
• D. Chain of Infection

Answer: (B)

PPE stands for Personal Protective Equipment, and it refers to the protective gear worn to shield healthcare workers from exposure to infectious agents. It includes gown, gloves, mask, and eye protection, and is used as needed based on the level of risk for a given procedure or interaction. This equipment acts as a barrier to prevent contaminants from reaching skin, mucous membranes, or clothing. PPE is a component of infection prevention and works alongside practices like hand hygiene and Standard Precautions, which provide the overall framework for protecting both patients and staff. The other options describe practices or concepts (hand hygiene for cleaning hands, Standard Precautions as a broad protection framework, and Chain of Infection as how infections spread) rather than the protective gear itself.