Which term stands for the protective gear worn by responders?

• A. Body Substance Isolation precautions
• B. Personal Protective Equipment
• C. Scene Safety
• D. Mechanism of Injury

Answer: (B)

Personal Protective Equipment is the term for the protective gear worn by responders. PPE includes items like gloves, gowns, masks, eye protection, face shields, helmets, and respirators, all chosen to shield against hazards such as bloodborne pathogens, chemical exposures, debris, and airborne particles. Proper use starts with a hazard assessment, then donning before exposure and doffing carefully to prevent contamination. Body Substance Isolation precautions refer to preventing contact with potentially infectious materials, but the gear itself is called PPE. Scene Safety is about evaluating and securing the environment, not the protective items worn, and Mechanism of Injury describes how the injury occurred rather than what gear is worn.