Which practice best reflects standard precautions?

• A. Hand hygiene before and after patient contact, regardless of suspected infection.
• B. Gloves-only approach.
• C. PPE unnecessary.
• D. Isolated care always.

Answer: (A)

Standard precautions are the baseline infection prevention measures applied to all patients to reduce transmission of infectious agents. The best-fit practice is hand hygiene before and after patient contact, regardless of whether an infection is suspected. Hands are the most common route for transferring organisms, so cleaning them before touching a patient and after finishing a task protects both patient and caregiver. Gloves are important for barrier protection, but they do not substitute for hand hygiene; germs can transfer during glove donning and especially during removal. PPE has a role when exposure risk exists, but it should never replace the need for hand hygiene. Isolation is not required for every patient; it’s used when there is a known or suspected infection, whereas standard precautions apply to all patient care.