Which of the following items is unable to prevent needle sticks or other sharps injuries?

The function of gloves is primarily to provide a barrier against exposure to infectious materials during procedures that involve contact with blood or bodily fluids. While they can help prevent direct exposure to contaminants, they do not physically prevent needle sticks or sharps injuries, which require equipment specifically designed to shield against penetration by sharp objects like needles.

In contrast, gauze, face masks, and bandages all serve their specific roles in infection control and safety. Gauze can be used to cover wounds and absorb fluids, face masks protect respiratory pathways from inhalation of contaminants, and bandages provide coverage to protect injuries but do not address the prevention of sharps injuries.

Thus, the correct choice highlights that gloves, while protective in many scenarios, do not prevent the occurrence of needle sticks or injuries involving sharp objects, making this an important point of understanding in safety and infection control practices.