AST Surgical Technologist Practice Exam

Which regulation states that blood and body fluids should be considered infectious?

1. OSHA Guidelines

2. Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act

3. Standard Precautions

4. Infection Control Protocols

The correct answer is: Standard Precautions

The regulation that asserts blood and body fluids should be considered infectious is based on the concept of Standard Precautions. This approach emphasizes that healthcare workers should treat all blood and body fluids as potentially infectious, regardless of the known status of the individual from whom they are derived. This guideline is essential in preventing the transmission of infections and ensuring safety in healthcare settings. Standard Precautions include a series of practices that healthcare providers must follow to minimize the risk of exposure to pathogens. By universally assuming that all patients' blood and body fluids are infectious, healthcare workers can implement appropriate protective measures, such as the use of personal protective equipment (PPE), safe handling of sharps, and effective hand hygiene practices. While OSHA Guidelines, the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, and Infection Control Protocols all contain relevant information regarding safety and health in medical environments, they do not specifically establish the principle that all blood and body fluids should be treated as potentially infectious in the way that Standard Precautions do.