What type of protective clothing should be worn when anticipating contact with gross contamination?

When anticipating contact with gross contamination, wearing gowns or aprons is essential because these garments provide a barrier between the worker's clothing and skin and any potential contaminants. Gross contamination often involves large amounts of bodily fluids or hazardous materials, and gowns or aprons are designed specifically to protect the wearer's uniform and skin from exposure.

These protective garments are usually made of materials that can resist liquid penetration, ensuring that contaminants do not come into direct contact with the body. This level of protection is critical in clinical or laboratory environments where there is a high risk of exposure to infectious agents.

Gloves, while important for hand protection, do not protect the rest of the body and are not sufficient alone in situations involving gross contamination. Face masks serve to protect the respiratory system and reduce the risk of inhalation of pathogens, but they do not offer protection to the skin and clothing. Simple scrubs provide minimal protection and are not designed to withstand gross contamination scenarios. Thus, gowns or aprons are the most appropriate choice in such situations.