PPE, Hand Hygiene and Isolation Precautions

When should standard precautions be used?

Whenever contact with potentially infectious bodily materials is possible.

What are standard precautions?

Infection-prevention practices used with every client to reduce the risk of transmitting microorganisms.

Why are standard precautions used with all clients?

Because it is not always possible to know who may be infectious.

What is the purpose of standard precautions?

To prevent exposure to and transmission of infectious microorganisms.

Who is protected by standard precautions?

Clients, visitors, and healthcare workers.

Which body substances and sites require standard precautions?

Blood, body fluids except perspiration, secretions, excretions, nonintact skin, mucous membranes, and other potentially infectious materials.

Is perspiration included among the body fluids covered by standard precautions?

No.

When should gloves be worn during client care?

Whenever contact with blood, body fluids, secretions, or other potentially infectious materials is possible.

When should gloves be changed?

When they become soiled and between clients.

What additional PPE may be needed if splashing is anticipated?

Goggles or a face shield, a mask, and a gown may be needed.

When should hand hygiene be performed during a procedure?

Before and after the procedure and before applying and after removing gloves.

What hand hygiene method should be used when hands are visibly soiled?

Wash with soap and water.

What hand hygiene method may be used when hands are not visibly soiled?

An alcohol-based hand sanitizer may be used.

What hand hygiene method is required after possible contact with C. difficile?

Soap and water.

Why is soap and water required after possible C. difficile exposure?

Alcohol-based hand sanitizer is ineffective against C. difficile spores.

Does the use of standard precautions require documentation?

No.

What are the three transmission-based precautions?

Contact, droplet, and airborne precautions.

Are transmission-based precautions used instead of standard precautions?

No. They are used in addition to standard precautions.

What does PPE stand for?

Personal protective equipment.

What are examples of PPE?

Gloves, masks, goggles, face shields, gowns, caps, and shoe coverings.

Where are isolation supplies and PPE commonly located?

On an isolation cart outside the room.

When are contact precautions used?

When a known or suspected contagious disease may spread by direct or indirect contact.

When are airborne precautions used?

For diseases spread by small particles that remain suspended in the air.

What mask is required for airborne precautions?

An N95 respirator.

What must occur before using an N95 respirator?

Medical evaluation and fit testing.

When are droplet precautions used?

For diseases spread by large respiratory droplets.

How are droplet particles commonly generated?

By coughing, sneezing, talking

What does clustering care mean?

Performing multiple tasks during one room entry to reduce trips in and out.

Why should equipment such as thermometers and stethoscopes remain in the isolation room?

To prevent transmission of microorganisms.

When should clients on isolation precautions be transported?

Only when absolutely necessary.