The laboratory assistant is not required to wear gloves when performing which of the following?

The situation where a laboratory assistant is not required to wear gloves pertains specifically to tasks that do not involve exposure to potentially infectious materials, which is the case during phlebotomies when performed under certain conditions, such as for education or demonstration purposes under strict safety protocols. In many clinical and laboratory settings, glove use is standard practice during procedures involving blood draws to protect both the patient and healthcare worker from possible transmission of infectious agents.

In more general terms, the handling of clinical specimens often entails direct contact with materials that could harbor pathogens, thereby necessitating the use of gloves for safety. Similarly, handling human tissue specimens and engaging in procedures that involve direct skin contact with biological specimens both inherently involve risk of exposure to potentially infectious substances, requiring gloves as a protective measure.

Thus, during routine or non-invasive educational demonstrations, gloves may not be deemed necessary in phlebotomy, while in other more direct or high-risk activities, they are essential for maintaining both personal safety and the integrity of the specimen handling process.