What should you do if clothing is contaminated with bodily fluids?

What should you do if clothing is contaminated with bodily fluids?

• A. Use appropriate PPE, remove and bag the clothing, and follow facility protocol for cleaning or disposal.
• B. Wash at home without PPE.
• C. Continue to wear contaminated clothing.
• D. Dispose of in regular trash.

Answer: (A)

When clothing is contaminated with bodily fluids, the priority is to protect yourself and prevent wider contamination by using the right protection and following proper containment procedures. Start by donning the appropriate PPE, such as gloves (and any additional protection required by your facility). Carefully remove the contaminated clothing to minimize contact with your skin and mucous membranes. Place the garment into the designated biohazard bag or container, seal it, and label it according to your facility’s protocol. Then follow the facility’s instructions for cleaning or disposal, which may involve laundering through proper channels or disposing of the item as regulated waste. Finally, perform hand hygiene. This approach directly reduces exposure risk, contains contamination, and aligns with standard infection-control procedures. Washing at home without PPE, continuing to wear the contaminated clothing, or disposing of it in regular trash all fail to prevent exposure and do not meet safety guidelines.

When clothing is contaminated with bodily fluids, the priority is to protect yourself and prevent wider contamination by using the right protection and following proper containment procedures. Start by donning the appropriate PPE, such as gloves (and any additional protection required by your facility). Carefully remove the contaminated clothing to minimize contact with your skin and mucous membranes. Place the garment into the designated biohazard bag or container, seal it, and label it according to your facility’s protocol. Then follow the facility’s instructions for cleaning or disposal, which may involve laundering through proper channels or disposing of the item as regulated waste. Finally, perform hand hygiene.

This approach directly reduces exposure risk, contains contamination, and aligns with standard infection-control procedures. Washing at home without PPE, continuing to wear the contaminated clothing, or disposing of it in regular trash all fail to prevent exposure and do not meet safety guidelines.