Which PPE practice is recommended when preparing to interact with inmates?

Which PPE practice is recommended when preparing to interact with inmates?

• A. Protective gloves—always carry and put on before contact with inmates
• B. Masks are optional always
• C. Eye protection is never needed
• D. Gloves only used after contact

Answer: (A)

Don protective gloves before any contact with inmates. In a corrections setting, you can encounter bodily fluids or contaminated surfaces at any moment, so having gloves on and ready creates a barrier right from the start of interaction, greatly reducing the chance of exposure for you and the inmate. Carrying a supply ensures you can quickly don them as you prepare to engage, instead of waiting until after contact has begun. Masks and eye protection have roles, but they aren’t universally required for every interaction; they’re used based on specific tasks and risk. Wearing gloves after contact misses the critical window where protection is needed and can allow exposure to occur.

Don protective gloves before any contact with inmates. In a corrections setting, you can encounter bodily fluids or contaminated surfaces at any moment, so having gloves on and ready creates a barrier right from the start of interaction, greatly reducing the chance of exposure for you and the inmate. Carrying a supply ensures you can quickly don them as you prepare to engage, instead of waiting until after contact has begun. Masks and eye protection have roles, but they aren’t universally required for every interaction; they’re used based on specific tasks and risk. Wearing gloves after contact misses the critical window where protection is needed and can allow exposure to occur.