Which of the following patients should always use Standard Precautions?

Prepare for the OSHA Health Science Test. Utilize flashcards and multiple choice questions with hints and explanations to enhance your readiness for the exam!

Standard Precautions are designed to protect healthcare workers and patients from the spread of infections, regardless of the patient's diagnosis or perceived risk. This protocol assumes that all blood and body fluids, including secretions and excretions, may contain pathogens and therefore require precautions to prevent transmission.

In the case of a patient with an open sore, the risk of infection is higher because open wounds can be entry points for pathogens. Using Standard Precautions—such as wearing gloves, hand hygiene, and using protective barriers—ensures that healthcare workers minimize the risk of exposure to blood, fluids, and infectious agents that can enter through the sore. This practice is crucial not only for the safety of the patient but also for the healthcare environment as a whole, to prevent cross-contamination between patients.

The other patients—like a newborn baby, an elderly man with a broken hip, or a woman in labor—may have specific situations where additional precautions may be necessary, but Standard Precautions should always be employed universally to ensure a baseline level of safety in all interactions. Therefore, the patient with an open sore exemplifies the need for consistent application of Standard Precautions, underscoring their importance in clinical practice.

Subscribe

Get the latest from Examzify

You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our privacy policy