What equipment may be used for a small scrape to prevent contamination?

• A. Gloves
• B. A dirty cloth
• C. A hard object
• D. No gloves

Answer: (A)

Using gloves provides a barrier between your hands and the wound, reducing the chance of introducing germs into the scrape and protecting your hands from any germs that may be present. Before touching the scrape, put on clean disposable gloves; after cleaning and dressing the wound, remove them carefully, dispose of them, and wash your hands. A dirty cloth would transfer dirt and bacteria into the wound and onto your hands, a hard object could injure the skin or push debris into the wound, and not wearing gloves leaves you unprotected and increases contamination risk. In a school setting, gloves are a simple, effective way to maintain cleanliness while treating minor injuries.