Which statement best describes essential PPE for all patients and staff in the operating room to reduce infection risk?

• A. Gloves alone are sufficient for all procedures.
• B. PPE is not necessary if aseptic technique is used.
• C. Proper surgical attire including sterile gowns and gloves, masks, caps, and eye protection as needed.
• D. Regular street clothes with a lab coat suffice.

Answer: (C)

The main idea here is that preventing infection in the operating room relies on a complete barrier system, not just clean hands or a clean environment. Proper PPE creates a protective shield between people and the surgical field, helping to keep both patient and staff safe from microorganisms that can be transmitted by contact, droplets, or splashes.

The best answer captures this by listing comprehensive surgical attire: sterile gowns and gloves to maintain the sterility of the operative field and protect staff hands; masks to reduce respiratory droplet spread; caps to keep hair and scalps from shedding into the sterile area; and eye protection when there’s a risk of splashes. This combination addresses multiple routes of transmission and supports aseptic technique during procedures. The note that eye protection is used “as needed” reflects real-world practice where protection is added based on the level of splash risk, but the core message is that protective barriers beyond gloves are essential.

Why the other ideas don’t fit: wearing gloves alone leaves the rest of the body and environment unprotected and doesn’t guarantee a sterile field. Relying on aseptic technique alone ignores the physical barriers PPE provides against contamination. Regular street clothes with a lab coat lack the protective barriers and sterility required in the OR, increasing infection risk for both patient and staff.