# A nurse is caring for a client on airborne precautions. During care, the client coughs and the nurse notices a tear in the left glove. Place the following actions in the correct order.

> source: MyMerci (mymerci.kr)  
> url: https://mymerci.kr/pages/nclex_q.php?qn_id=568368&lang=en  
> language: en  
> subject: Standard/Transmission-Based Precautions/Surgical Asepsis  
> category: SIPC

## Question

A nurse is caring for a client on airborne precautions. During care, the client coughs and the nurse notices a tear in the left glove. Place the following actions in the correct order.

Leave the room and close the door.

Remove the gown and gloves together, then perform hand hygiene.

Remove the torn glove, perform hand hygiene, and don a clean glove.

Remove the N95 respirator and perform hand hygiene.

Remove eye protection.

## Explanation

The nurse must first remove the torn glove, perform hand hygiene, and don a clean glove to maintain barrier protection while completing care. After care, the nurse removes the gown and gloves together, then eye protection, exits the room, removes the N95 respirator, and performs final hand hygiene.

## In-depth explanation

Quick answer
The correct sequence addresses the immediate risk of glove tear contamination, then follows CDC removal sequence: remove gown and gloves together, remove eye protection, exit and close door, remove N95 respirator, and perform hand hygiene.

Why this is correct
A torn glove compromises the nurse's protection during ongoing care. The nurse must replace it promptly, then follow the CDC sequence for removing PPE after airborne precautions.

Clinical picture
In airborne precautions, the N95 respirator must remain on until after leaving the room and closing the door to prevent inhalation of infectious particles. Hand hygiene is performed after glove removal and after all PPE is removed.

Memory hook
CDC PPE removal sequence: gloves and gown together, eye protection, leave room, remove respirator, hand hygiene.

NCLEX decision rule
Address breaches in PPE immediately; always remove the respirator outside the airborne isolation room.

Why the alternatives are wrong
Removing the gown before addressing the glove tear would prolong exposure. Removing the N95 respirator inside the room would risk inhalation of airborne pathogens. Performing hand hygiene only at the end would leave hands contaminated after glove removal.

Sources
1NCSBN 2026 NCLEX-RN Test Plan
2CDC: Sequence for Putting On and Safely Removing PPE

## Clinical scenario

Airborne isolation room
The nurse is wearing gloves, an isolation gown, eye protection, and a fit-tested N95 respirator. The client has active pulmonary tuberculosis. The nurse must address the glove tear and then remove all personal protective equipment (PPE) according to CDC guidelines.

## Key concepts

- **Airborne precautions** — Infection control measures used for pathogens transmitted by small droplet nuclei that remain infectious over long distances, requiring an airborne infection isolation room and N95 respirator.
- **N95 respirator** — A tight-fitting mask that filters at least 95% of airborne particles, providing respiratory protection against airborne infectious agents.
- **Hand hygiene** — Cleaning hands with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand rub to remove pathogens and prevent transmission.

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