What barrier should be put on last when donning personal protective equipment before patient care?

When donning personal protective equipment (PPE) for patient care, the gloves should be the last barrier applied. This practice is essential because gloves serve as the final line of defense against contaminants. By putting on gloves last, you ensure that they remain uncontaminated as you handle other pieces of PPE, such as gowns, masks, and face shields, which may come into contact with potentially infectious materials.

If gloves were applied before the other barriers, they could become contaminated when putting on the gown or fastening the mask, which would compromise the effectiveness of the PPE. Therefore, the safe practice is to complete the application of other protective items and then don gloves to maintain a sterile barrier before interacting with the patient. This sequence is crucial in infection control protocols to minimize the risk of cross-contamination and ensure both patient and healthcare worker safety.