Registered Dental Hygienist in Alternative Practice (RDHAP) Law and Ethics Practice Exam

Which precaution is included under standard precautions?

1. Only wearing gloves

2. Hand hygiene and proper handling of sharps

3. Wearing a specific uniform

4. Providing patients with antiseptics

The correct answer is: Hand hygiene and proper handling of sharps

Standard precautions are practices that aim to prevent the transmission of infections in healthcare settings. They apply to all patients, regardless of their infection status, and encompass a variety of safety measures to protect both patients and healthcare workers. The correct choice highlights hand hygiene and proper handling of sharps as essential components of standard precautions. Hand hygiene plays a critical role in reducing the risk of infection transmission by ensuring that hands are clean before and after patient interactions. Proper handling of sharps is equally vital to prevent needlestick injuries, which can expose healthcare workers to bloodborne pathogens. The other options provided do not encompass the comprehensive nature of standard precautions as effectively. For example, only wearing gloves may not account for other necessary safety measures. A specific uniform can be part of the personal protective equipment but does not address the broader range of practices needed for infection control. Providing patients with antiseptics, while a helpful practice, is more of an additional preventive measure rather than a foundational element of standard precautions.