Why are gloves used during medication administration?

The use of gloves during medication administration is primarily to prevent contamination during the application process. This is crucial for maintaining safety and hygiene standards, both for the person administering the medication and for the patient receiving it. Gloves act as a barrier that protects mucous membranes, skin, and open wounds from exposure to potentially harmful substances, including pathogens and other contaminants that may be present on the hands or surfaces.

While keeping hands warm might seem like a benefit, it is not a primary reason for donning gloves in this context. Enhancing grip on medication containers is also not a justification for glove use since gloves can sometimes reduce dexterity and grip. Moreover, while creating a sterile environment is important in certain medical procedures, medication administration typically doesn't require a sterile field – clean and safe handling practices are sufficient to minimize contamination risks. Thus, the primary focus remains on preventing contamination, making the choice of preventing contamination during application the correct answer.