Which statement about standard precautions is true?

• A. Only residents with known infections require precautions
• B. All residents and all staff receive standard precautions
• C. Precautions apply only during invasive procedures
• D. Precautions are optional if washing hands

Answer: (B)

Standard precautions are the baseline safety practices used with every resident, all the time, to prevent the spread of infections. They apply to all residents and all staff, regardless of whether an infection is known. Treat every encounter as potentially infectious and consistently follow these steps: perform hand hygiene before and after resident contact; wear gloves and other PPE when there’s a risk of exposure to blood or bodily fluids; handle needles and sharps safely; use safe injection practices; clean and disinfect equipment and surfaces between residents; and follow respiratory hygiene and cough etiquette. They aren’t limited to invasive procedures, and they aren’t optional if you wash your hands—hand hygiene is just one part of the broader standard precautions. This universal approach protects both residents and staff consistently.