Evolve HESI Practice Exam

What is the most important action for the nurse to implement when donning sterile gloves?

1. Fit gloves snugly to the wrists.

2. Keep gloved hands above the elbows.

3. Change gloves if they touch anything non-sterile.

4. Inspect gloves for holes before use.

The correct answer is: Keep gloved hands above the elbows.

The most important action when donning sterile gloves is to keep gloved hands above the elbows. This is crucial for maintaining a sterile environment and preventing contamination. By keeping the gloved hands elevated, the nurse minimizes the risk of the gloves coming into contact with non-sterile surfaces or items, which could compromise the sterility of the gloves and, consequently, the procedure being conducted. In a clinical setting, maintaining a sterile field is vital to prevent infections during procedures or patient care activities. Positioning the hands above the elbows helps ensure that the sterile gloves remain uncontaminated throughout the process. This practice is especially important in surgical settings or when handling sterile instruments. While fitting gloves snugly to the wrists, changing gloves if they touch anything non-sterile, and inspecting for holes are also important practices, they are secondary to ensuring that the gloves themselves remain sterile by keeping them above a level that might introduce contamination.