What practice helps protect a resident's gown from becoming soiled during personal care?

• A. Use proper draping and keep the resident covered throughout care.
• B. Remove draping to access areas quickly.
• C. Drape only after completing the care to avoid delays.
• D. Use one clean gown for the entire shift without draping.

Answer: (A)

Proper draping during personal care is essential to protect the resident's gown from becoming soiled. By keeping the resident covered with a clean bath blanket or towel and exposing only the area you’re actively cleaning, you create a barrier between dirty materials and the gown. This maintains dignity, warmth, and privacy, and it also supports infection control by limiting contamination.

This approach is the best because it directly minimizes the chance the gown will become dirty while you work, and it allows for smooth, respectful care—adjusting coverage as you move from area to area without exposing more than necessary.

Removing draping to access areas quickly increases exposure and the risk of soiling and embarrassment. Draping after completing care misses the opportunity to protect the gown during the process. Using one clean gown for the entire shift without draping fails to prevent soiling during care and disregards privacy and hygiene standards.