What should a patient care technician do immediately after removing gloves and a gown after caring for an isolated patient?

After caring for an isolated patient, the immediate step a patient care technician should take after removing gloves and a gown is to wash their hands. This action is critical in maintaining infection control and preventing the spread of pathogens. When removing personal protective equipment like gloves and gowns, it is important to ensure that any contaminants that may have come into contact with the outer surfaces of this equipment do not transfer to the technician's hands or other surfaces.

Washing hands effectively removes any residues or microorganisms that may be present after caring for a patient, particularly one in isolation where there may be a higher risk of infection. This practice is a fundamental part of standard precautions in healthcare and is emphasized to promote safety and health for both healthcare workers and patients.