What is the primary purpose of standard precautions?

• A. To protect workers by treating blood and body fluids as if infected
• B. To speed up patient throughput
• C. To replace hand hygiene
• D. To eliminate use of PPE

Answer: (A)

Standard precautions protect healthcare workers and patients by preventing infection transmission. They require treating all blood and body fluids as potentially infectious, so you perform hand hygiene before and after contact and use appropriate PPE, like gloves, gowns, masks, and eye protection when indicated. They also cover safe handling of needles and sharps and thorough cleaning and disinfection of surfaces and equipment. The goal is to reduce the risk of spreading bloodborne and other pathogens, regardless of whether an infection is known. This approach emphasizes protection for both staff and patients and does not rely on speeding up patient flow or eliminating PPE; PPE remains a key part of safety.