Which action is NOT part of standard precautions?

• A. Wearing gloves for contact with blood.
• B. Wearing mask and eye protection when splashes are possible.
• C. Reusing single-use PPE after washing.
• D. Disposing of contaminated sharps properly.

Answer: (C)

Standard precautions rely on barriers to prevent transmission in every care situation. Worn gloves for contact with blood protect your hands; a mask and eye protection are used when there’s a risk of splashes to the face; and contaminated sharps must be disposed of properly to prevent injuries and spread of infection. The idea behind these practices is to treat all bodily fluids as potentially infectious and to maintain effective protection until the end of the procedure.

Reusing single-use PPE after washing does not fit with standard precautions. Items labeled for single use are designed to be disposed of after one use; washing or reusing them can damage their protective material and leave you exposed to contaminants, increasing the risk of cross-contamination.