What must be done before removing a gown?

Removing a gown safely and correctly is crucial in adhering to infection control practices, especially in healthcare settings. Before removing a gown, it's important to first remove gloves and decontaminate hands. This step ensures that any potential contaminants on the gloves do not come in contact with the skin or other surfaces when the gown is removed.

By removing the gloves first, the individual prevents the transfer of pathogens that may have been in contact with the gloves. Following this, decontaminating the hands—either through washing with soap and water or using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer—removes any residual contaminants that could pose a risk of infection.

This sequence reinforces the practice of maintaining a clean and safe environment, further ensuring that the individual is following the protocol for infection prevention and control. This is why the choice to first remove gloves and then decontaminate hands is the correct approach before safely removing a gown.