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Which of the following is NOT considered personal protective equipment (PPE)?

  1. Gloves

  2. Mask

  3. Lab coat

  4. Stethoscope

The correct answer is: Stethoscope

Personal protective equipment (PPE) is designed to protect healthcare workers from exposure to hazards, particularly biological materials in a clinical setting. Gloves, masks, and lab coats all serve specific protective functions. Gloves protect the hands from blood and other bodily fluids, masks prevent inhalation of infectious particles, and lab coats shield the skin and personal clothing from contamination. A stethoscope, while an essential tool for healthcare providers, is not designed for protective purposes. It is used for auscultation, where a clinician listens to the internal sounds of a patient's body, such as the heart and lungs. Therefore, it does not provide a barrier against exposure to infectious materials, making it the correct answer as it does not fall under the category of PPE. Understanding this distinction is important in the context of safety protocols in healthcare settings.