When should gloves be worn by the nurse?

Wearing gloves is crucial in nursing to prevent contamination and protect both the healthcare provider and the patient. The correct choice indicates that gloves should be worn when there is a possibility of contact with mucous membranes or non-intact skin. This is important because mucous membranes are areas where pathogens can easily enter the body, and non-intact skin is compromised and can be susceptible to infection.

By wearing gloves in situations where these types of contact are anticipated, nurses can significantly reduce the risk of transmitting infections. This practice also aligns with standard precautions established in infection control practices, which guide healthcare providers to take specific measures to protect themselves and their patients.

In contrast, the other choices either overgeneralize or do not capture the necessary specificity of glove use in a clinical setting. Wearing gloves for every routine task, for example, is not practical or necessary in all situations, such as when handling intact skin that does not pose a risk of exposure to pathogens. Thus, being selective about when to use gloves, particularly in the context of potential exposure to bodily fluids, mucous membranes, or broken skin, is pivotal in maintaining effective infection control practices.