What is the first step when putting on sterile gloves?

When putting on sterile gloves, the first step is to glove the dominant hand first. This is important because the dominant hand is typically more adept at manipulating the gloves and ensures a more controlled process. By doing this first, you can use your more skilled hand to help position and secure the glove on the non-dominant hand afterward. This method reduces the risk of contamination since the dominant hand can help handle the glove without touching the outside surface that could be contaminated.

Additionally, it is crucial to maintain sterility throughout the procedure, which is why the steps are designed in a specific order to minimize the risk of touching non-sterile surfaces. By gloving the dominant hand first, the healthcare provider increases their ability to manage both gloves while keeping them sterile.