How often should chemotherapy gowns be changed, unless there is a spill?

Chemotherapy gowns are designed to provide protection against hazardous drugs, and proper protocols dictate their usage and change frequency to ensure the safety of healthcare workers handling these substances. The correct choice indicates that chemotherapy gowns should be changed every 2-3 hours, which is appropriate considering the potential for exposure and contamination.

This interval is established to minimize the risk of any drug absorption through the fabric, which could occur if the gown becomes soiled or if it comes into contact with chemotherapy agents over extended periods. Regularly changing the gown helps to maintain a sterile environment and reduces the likelihood of any residual contamination that might pose a risk to healthcare personnel or patients.

Other options suggest changing the gown at intervals that are too short or too long. Changing it every hour might be excessively frequent, creating unnecessary waste and an increased workload without significant benefit. Conversely, changing the gown every 4-5 hours or only at the end of each shift may not adequately address the risk of contamination, possibly leading to unsafe conditions. Therefore, changing gowns every 2-3 hours strikes the correct balance between safety and practicality in a clinical setting.