Which guidelines published by the CDC apply to situations where blood or body fluids may be infectious?

• A. Standard precautions
• B. Universal disinfection
• C. Body Fluid Protocol
• D. Hygiene Standards

Answer: (A)

Standard Precautions are the CDC guidelines designed to prevent transmission of infections when blood or body fluids may be infectious. The central idea is to treat all blood and body fluids as potentially infectious, so protective measures are used with every patient and every exposure. This means practicing rigorous hand hygiene, wearing gloves for any contact with blood, body fluids, mucous membranes, or non‑intact skin, and using gowns, masks, or eye protection when there’s a risk of splashes or contact with fluids. It also includes safe handling of needles and contaminated equipment and thorough environmental cleaning and disinfection. Standard Precautions broaden earlier approaches by applying to all body fluids, secretions, and excretions (not just blood) and to non‑intact skin and mucous membranes, making it the current, comprehensive CDC framework for preventing transmission. The other terms aren’t official CDC guidelines or don’t cover the full scope of infectious risks.