OPEN GLOVING METHOD (APPLYING AND REMOVING STERILE

GLOVES) - NCMA 113 (FUNDA)

PERFORMANCE DESCRIPTION
RATING SCALE
4 Consistently demonstrates ability to perform skill with no instructor assistance
cueing.
3 Demonstrates ability to perform skill. Requires instructor verbal cueing
2 Inconsistently demonstrates ability to perform skill. Requires instructor assistance
and cueing.
1 Unable to perform skill. Demonstrates unsafe patient care.

PROCEDURE 4 3 2 1

PURPOSES:
1. To enable the nurse to handle or touch sterile objects freely without
contaminating them.
2. To prevent transmission of potentially infective microorganisms from the
nurse’s hands to clients at risk for infection.
ASSESSMENT:
1. Review the client’s record and orders to determine exactly what procedure
will be performed that requires sterile gloves. Use nonlatex gloves whenever
possible.
PLANNING:
1. Think through the procedure, planning which steps need to be completed
before the gloves can be applied. Determine what additional supplies are
needed to perform the procedure for the client. Always have an extra pair of
sterile gloves available.
ASSIGNMENT:
• Sterile procedures are not assigned to AP (Assistive Personnel).
EQUIPMENT:
• Package of sterile gloves – correct size. Keep an extra pair always.
IMPLEMENTATION:
Preparation:
1. Ensure the sterility of the package of gloves.
PERFORMANCE:
1. Prior to performing procedure, introduce self and verify the client’s identity
using agency protocol. Explain to the client what you are going to do, why it
is necessary.
2. Perform hand hygiene and observe the appropriate infection prevention
procedures.
3. Provide for client privacy.
4. Open the package of sterile gloves.
• Place the package of gloves on a clean, dry surface. Rationale: Any moisture
on the surface could contaminate the gloves.
 • Some gloves are packed in an inner as well as an outer package. Open the
outer package without contaminating the gloves or the inner package.
• Remove the inner package from the outer package,
• Open the inner package. Follow according to manufacturer’s directions.
Some manufacturers provide a numbered sequence for opening the flaps
and folded tabs to grasp for opening flaps. If no tabs are provided, pluck the
flap so that the fingers do not touch the inner surfaces. Rationale: The inner
surfaces, which are next to the sterile gloves, will remain sterile.
5. Put the first glove on the dominant hand.
• If the gloves are packaged so that they lie side by side, grasp the glove for
the dominant hand by its folded cuff edge (on the palmar side) with the
thumb and first finger of the nondominant hand. Rationale: The hands are
not sterile. By touching only, the inside of the glove, the nurse avoids
contaminating the outside.
• If the gloves are packaged on top of the other, grasp the cuff of the top
glove as above, using the opposite hand.
• Insert the dominant hand into the glove and pull the glove on. Keep the
thumb of the inserted hand against the palm of the hand during insertion.
Rationale: If the thumb is kept against the palm, it is less likely to
contaminate the outside of the glove.
• Leave the cuff in place once the unsterile hand releases the glove.
Rationale: Attempting to further unfold the cuff is likely to contaminate the
gloved palm.
6. Put the second glove on the nondominant hand.
• Pick up the other glove with the sterile gloved hand, inserting gloved fingers
under the cuff and holding the gloved thumb close to the gloved palm.
• Pull the second glove carefully. Hold the thumb of the gloved first hand as
far as possible from the palm. Rationale: In this position, the thumb is less
likely to touch the arm and become contaminated.
• Adjust each glove so that it fits smoothly, and carefully pull the cuffs up by
sliding the fingers under the cuff.
7. Remove and dispose of used gloves.
• There is no technique for removing sterile gloves that is different from
unsterile gloves. If they are soiled with secretions, remove them by turning
them inside out.
8. Document that sterile technique is used in the performance of the
procedure.
Total: Purposes = 2 + Assessment =1 + Planning=1 + Implementation=1 +
Performance = 8
Total: 13 x 4=52 52/100

Name _____________________________________Score ____________________________

Year and section ____________________________CI Signature_______________________
Reference: Berman, Audrey; Snyder, Shirlee; Frandsen, Geralyn: Fundamentals of Nursing: Concepts, Process, and Practice 11th Edition,
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