When should gloves be worn by a receptionist?

• A. When attending to patients only.
• B. When handling blood or body fluids, contaminated surfaces, or when cleaning up spills.
• C. Only when wearing a uniform.
• D. Never in reception.

Answer: (B)

Gloves are part of standard precautions to prevent spreading infection. In a reception area, you may come into contact with blood or body fluids, contaminated surfaces, or spills that could carry germs. Wearing gloves in those situations protects you from exposure and reduces the chance of transferring pathogens to others, and you should change them and wash your hands after removing them. The other ideas miss real workplace risks: gloves aren’t only for direct patient contact, they aren’t related to wearing a uniform, and saying never to wear gloves ignores the everyday potential for exposure in a medical setting. So the best guidance is to wear gloves when handling blood or body fluids, contaminated surfaces, or when cleaning up spills.