What protective measure is recommended when dealing with potential blood exposure?

Wearing disposable gloves is crucial when addressing potential blood exposure because they provide a barrier between the skin and any potentially infectious materials. This reduces the risk of transmission of bloodborne pathogens such as HIV, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C. Gloves are specifically designed to be a protective measure in medical and emergency situations, as they can prevent direct contact with blood and other bodily fluids.

While wearing a cloth mask, long sleeves, or using hand sanitizer after care may have their places in infection control, they do not offer the same level of protection specifically against blood exposure. Cloth masks are primarily for respiratory protection against droplets, long sleeves may offer some physical barrier but can be impractical in managing blood exposure, and hand sanitizer is effective for hand hygiene after care but does not provide protection during the exposure event itself.