What is the most important step the nurse can take to minimize the risk of tearing a sterile glove when applying it to the hands?

Selecting the proper glove size is the most important step to minimize the risk of tearing a sterile glove when applying it to the hands. Proper sizing ensures that the gloves fit snugly but not too tightly; a well-fitted glove allows for free movement without excess material that may be prone to snagging or ripping. When gloves are either too large or too small, they can stretch or tear, which compromises sterility and safety.

While other factors, such as having trimmed and smoothly filed fingernails or drying the hands thoroughly before application, are important for maintaining hygiene and preventing contamination, they do not directly address the physical integrity of the gloves during application. Similarly, using powdered sterile gloves is less favorable in terms of sterility and potential contamination than non-powdered options. Hence, the selection of the appropriate size is key to ensuring that the gloves can be applied without risk of them tearing.