A nurse has just finished a wound irrigation for a client who requires contact precautions. Which of the following pieces of personal protective equipment (PPE) should the nurse remove last?

The correct answer is C: Mask. The nurse should remove the mask last when following contact precautions protocol. Rationale: 1. Mask prevents the spread of infectious particles from the nurse's respiratory system. 2. Removing the mask last reduces the risk of self-contamination. 3. Gloves are removed first to prevent cross-contamination. 4. Gown should be removed next to avoid spreading contaminants. 5. Face shield is removed before mask as it provides protection for the face, not the respiratory system. Removing the mask last ensures that the nurse is protected until the very end of the procedure.