What is the correct order to doff PPE?

• A. Gloves, Gown (Wash Hands), Goggles, Respirator (Wash Hands)
• B. Goggles, Respirator, Gown, Gloves
• C. Gown, Gloves, Respirator, Goggles
• D. Respirator, Goggles, Gown, Gloves

Answer: (A)

Doff PPE in the right order matters to prevent self-contamination. Start with the item most likely to be contaminated: gloves. They contact infectious material directly, so removing them first minimizes transferring germs to skin or other surfaces. After taking off the gloves, clean your hands before touching any other PPE to keep the next items from becoming contaminated by your hands. Then remove the gown, again performing hand hygiene before handling the remaining pieces. Next, take off eye protection (goggles) to prevent touching your eyes with contaminated surfaces, and finally remove the respirator. Finish with a final hand hygiene to ensure any residual contamination on your hands is washed away. This sequence keeps clean hands available to touch each item and reduces the chance of transferring contaminants to your face or mucous membranes during the doffing process.