What are standard precautions in infection control?

• A. Basic infection prevention practices that apply to all patients.
• B. Isolation procedures used only for patients with communicable diseases.
• C. Measures used to maintain sterile technique during surgery.
• D. Hand hygiene is unnecessary if gloves are worn.

Answer: (A)

Standard precautions are the baseline infection prevention practices used with all patients, regardless of diagnosis. They’re designed to reduce the transmission of pathogens through blood and body fluids, non‑intact skin, and mucous membranes. The key ideas include performing hand hygiene before and after patient contact and after removing gloves, using appropriate personal protective equipment (gloves, gowns, masks or eye protection) when exposure to body fluids is possible, practicing safe injection methods, safely handling and cleaning equipment and environmental surfaces, and following respiratory hygiene/cough etiquette. These precautions apply universally and are not limited to patients known to be infectious. Isolation procedures aim at specific diseases and are separate from standard precautions, and sterile technique is a specialized requirement for surgical or invasive procedures. Also, wearing gloves does not replace the need for hand hygiene, since hands can become contaminated during donning, doffing, or through glove breaches.