Which of the following best describes the purpose of double-gloving?

Double-gloving is a practice used in surgical settings primarily to enhance infection control. By wearing two pairs of gloves, a surgeon or surgical team member can create an additional barrier against potential contamination, particularly when performing procedures that may expose them to blood and other bodily fluids. This is crucial in reducing the risk of transmission of infections both to patients and healthcare professionals.

The outer glove provides a first line of defense, while the inner glove offers secondary protection. In the event that the outer glove is punctured or torn during the procedure, the inner glove remains intact, thus minimizing the likelihood of exposure to infectious agents. Furthermore, double-gloving can help in identifying breaches in glove integrity, as blood or other fluids are more easily detected on the outer glove.

While reducing allergic reactions is important, double-gloving is not specifically designed to address this concern. Improved dexterity is not a primary goal of double-gloving; in fact, some practitioners may find it slightly hinders dexterity due to the bulk of two layers. Additionally, double-gloving can actually incur additional costs for surgical supplies rather than reduce them, as it requires the use of more gloves. Therefore, enhancing infection control is the key purpose served by this practice.