When should standard precautions be used?

• A. With all patients, regardless of diagnosis
• B. Only with patients who are known to be contagious
• C. Only during invasive procedures
• D. When a specific pathogen is suspected

Answer: (A)

Standard precautions are the baseline infection prevention practices used with every patient, every time. You can’t reliably know who is carrying pathogens, since people may be contagious or have occult infections, so protecting yourself and patients must apply universally. These precautions cover hand hygiene, gloves for contact with blood or body fluids, masks or eye protection and gowns when exposure is possible, safe injection practices, and safe handling of sharps, along with cough etiquette. Because they are applied to all patients, they provide consistent protection regardless of diagnosis.

Other options imply you only protect in certain situations, but that misses the point: standard precautions are always used, and additional transmission-based precautions are added only if a specific pathogen is suspected or confirmed.