What are standard precautions?

• A. Infection prevention practices applied to all clients, regardless of known infectious agents.
• B. Applied only for known infections
• C. Only in surgical settings
• D. Only for airborne diseases

Answer: (A)

Standard precautions are a baseline approach to infection prevention used with every patient, regardless of whether an infection is suspected or known. The idea is that infectious agents can be present even when a patient appears healthy, so precautions are applied universally to reduce transmission risk. Core elements include hand hygiene before and after patient contact and after removing gloves; wearing gloves for contact with blood, body fluids, mucous membranes, non‑intact skin, or contaminated surfaces; using gowns, masks, and eye protection when splashes or aerosols are possible; safe injection practices; proper handling and disposal of sharps; cleaning and disinfection of equipment and surfaces; and practices to reduce risks from respiratory secretions and waste.

This approach isn’t limited to infections that are already identified, isn’t restricted to surgical settings, and isn’t specific to airborne diseases. Rather, it provides a consistent, universal set of precautions to protect both healthcare workers and patients in all care environments.