Which statement about standard precautions is true?

• A. They are the minimum infection prevention practices applied to all patients to prevent transmission of disease
• B. They are only for healthcare workers
• C. They apply only to airborne diseases
• D. They are optional steps used only for high-risk patients

Answer: (C)

The essential idea here is that standard precautions are the baseline infection prevention practices used with every patient to prevent the spread of disease. They’re designed to protect both patients and healthcare workers by making certain basics—like hand hygiene, wearing gloves when there’s potential contact with body fluids, masks or eye protection when splashes or droplets could occur, safe handling of sharps, and proper cleaning and disinfection—are used consistently in all patient encounters, regardless of diagnosis.

This approach isn’t limited to airborne diseases, nor is it optional or reserved only for high-risk patients. It covers all modes of transmission (contact, droplet, and airborne) and applies to all healthcare workers who interact with patients. So the statement that best captures this is that standard precautions are the minimum infection prevention practices applied to all patients to prevent transmission of disease.