Personal protective equipment includes all of the following EXCEPT ________.

Personal protective equipment (PPE) is designed to protect the healthcare provider from exposure to infectious materials and hazards. Items such as gloves, face shields, and gowns are all fundamental components of PPE, as they provide bodily protection, safeguard against contamination, and reduce the risk of transmission of pathogens.

Gloves keep hands safe from infectious agents; face shields protect the face and eyes from splashes; and gowns provide a barrier covering for the clothing and skin. All these items are essential for maintaining safety and health during medical procedures or when dealing with potentially hazardous environments.

In contrast, an automated external defibrillator (AED) is a device used to treat life-threatening cardiac dysrhythmias by delivering electric shocks to the heart to restore a normal rhythm. While it is a crucial piece of emergency medical equipment, it does not serve as personal protective equipment. Its primary function is to assist in medical emergencies rather than protect the responder from hazards. Thus, the correct answer identifies the AED as the item that does not belong with the other PPE items.