Which of the following are standard precautions that apply to all patient care activities?

• A. Isolating all patients regardless of infection status.
• B. Wearing a mask only during flu season.
• C. Hand hygiene, use of PPE as indicated, safe injection practices, respiratory hygiene/catient etiquette, and safe handling of contaminated sharps.
• D. Only gloves during sterile procedures.

Answer: (C)

Standard precautions are the baseline infection prevention measures used with every patient, regardless of infection status, to prevent transmission of infections through contact with blood and body fluids, non‑intact skin, or mucous membranes. They include hand hygiene, using appropriate PPE for the task (gloves, gown, mask, eye protection as needed), safe injection practices, respiratory hygiene and cough etiquette, and safe handling and disposal of contaminated sharps. This comprehensive set is applied consistently, not just in special cases.

Isolating all patients isn’t a standard precaution because isolation is reserved for specific suspected or confirmed infections and transmission risks. Wearing a mask only during flu season misses the ongoing need for protection in various care activities and lacks other essential practices like hand hygiene and safe sharps handling. Using gloves alone during sterile procedures excludes the broader PPE and hygiene steps that standard precautions require.