Which term corresponds to the measures developed by the CDC to protect patients and staff from viruses and bloodborne pathogens?

Which term corresponds to the measures developed by the CDC to protect patients and staff from viruses and bloodborne pathogens?

• A. Standard precautions
• B. Transmission-based precautions
• C. PPE protocols
• D. Universal precautions

Answer: (D)

Universal precautions focus on protecting patients and staff by treating all blood and certain body fluids as potentially infectious and by using protective barriers like gloves, gowns, masks, and eye protection, along with safe handling of sharps. This framework was developed by the CDC to reduce the risk of transmitting viruses and bloodborne pathogens in healthcare settings, providing a baseline approach to infection control. While today this concept is incorporated into standard precautions, universal precautions specifically reference that original, foundational idea of always assuming infectious potential and applying appropriate barriers. Transmission-based precautions target more specific, known or suspected infections beyond the baseline, PPE protocols isn’t an official term, and standard precautions describe the broader current framework that includes universal precautions.

Universal precautions focus on protecting patients and staff by treating all blood and certain body fluids as potentially infectious and by using protective barriers like gloves, gowns, masks, and eye protection, along with safe handling of sharps. This framework was developed by the CDC to reduce the risk of transmitting viruses and bloodborne pathogens in healthcare settings, providing a baseline approach to infection control. While today this concept is incorporated into standard precautions, universal precautions specifically reference that original, foundational idea of always assuming infectious potential and applying appropriate barriers. Transmission-based precautions target more specific, known or suspected infections beyond the baseline, PPE protocols isn’t an official term, and standard precautions describe the broader current framework that includes universal precautions.