What is the primary purpose of standard precautions?

• A. To prevent transmission of pathogens by using basic practices for all patients in all settings
• B. To isolate every patient regardless of infection
• C. To use airborne isolation for all patients
• D. To require gloves for all patient contacts

Answer: (A)

Standard precautions focus on preventing transmission by applying basic infection prevention practices to every patient, in every setting. This means treating all patients as potentially infectious and using hand hygiene before and after contact, plus employing personal protective equipment (gloves, masks, eye protection, gowns) as appropriate for the level of exposure to blood or body fluids. It also covers safe handling and disposal of needles and contaminated sharps, proper cleaning and disinfecting of patient care equipment and the environment, and promoting respiratory hygiene and cough etiquette. The idea is that these foundational practices reduce risk across all encounters, rather than relying on infection status alone. Isolation or additional precautions are used only when a specific infection is suspected or confirmed, not for every patient.