Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Intermediate Practice Exam

When should an AEMT wear double gloves during patient care?

1. When giving medications

2. When caring for a patient who is stable

3. When providing CPR to a patient

4. When caring for a patient who is bleeding heavily from a large artery laceration

The correct answer is: When caring for a patient who is bleeding heavily from a large artery laceration

Wearing double gloves during patient care is particularly important when caring for a patient who is bleeding heavily from a large artery laceration. This situation poses a significant risk of exposure to bloodborne pathogens due to the high volume of blood and the potential presence of infectious materials. Double gloving provides an extra layer of protection for the AEMT, reducing the risk of contamination and ensuring that if one glove becomes compromised, the second glove remains intact to safeguard against exposure. In contrast, while giving medications may require standard precautions, the risk of blood exposure is considerably lower than in the scenario of heavy bleeding. Caring for a stable patient usually involves minimal risk for exposure, making double gloving unnecessary. Providing CPR does involve contact with bodily fluids, but double gloving is typically reserved for situations with a higher risk of contamination, such as heavy bleeding from a serious laceration. Therefore, the focus is on using double gloves as an added safety measure during procedures with a higher potential for significant exposure.