What should CNAs use to minimize the risk of transmitting infections when handling residents with contagious conditions?

Using Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is essential for minimizing the risk of transmitting infections when dealing with residents who have contagious conditions. PPE includes items such as gloves, masks, gowns, and eye protection, which are specifically designed to create a barrier against infectious agents. By wearing appropriate PPE, CNAs protect both themselves and the residents from the spread of pathogens.

This approach is particularly important in healthcare settings, where the potential for infection transmission is high. Taking precautions with PPE is aligned with infection control protocols that are designed to safeguard the health of vulnerable populations, such as elderly residents who may have weakened immune systems.

The other options, while important aspects of infection control, do not provide the same level of direct protection as proper use of PPE. Proper documentation and reporting ensure that necessary information about infections is communicated, but they do not prevent exposure. Regular handwashing is critical and must be practiced consistently, but it is most effective when combined with PPE. Isolation from other residents is a measure that can help prevent the spread of infection but does not protect the caregiver. Therefore, PPE serves as the most effective barrier in this context.