Certified Endoscope Reprocessor (CER) Practice Test 2025 – Your All-in-One Guide to Exam Success!

When managing contaminated endoscopes, wearing gloves and masks is essential to protect healthcare workers from exposure to potentially harmful pathogens and chemicals. Gloves create a barrier against direct contact with contaminated surfaces or fluids, reducing the risk of transmission of infectious agents. Masks help protect against inhaling aerosols or splashes during the cleaning and reprocessing stages, where infectious agents may be present due to the contaminants on the endoscopes.

While face shields can provide additional protection, they do not substitute the need for gloves and masks; therefore, just using face shields would not provide comprehensive protection. Steel-toed shoes and ear protection, while important in certain work settings for safety, are not specifically essential for managing contaminated endoscopes. Their relevance does not apply directly to the immediate risks presented in this context. Hence, the combination of gloves and masks is the most appropriate choice for ensuring the safety of personnel handling contaminated equipment.