What are the assumptions of standard precautions?

• A. All bodily fluids (except sweat), secretions, excretions, non-intact skin, and mucous membranes may be infectious
• B. Only urine is infectious
• C. None are infectious
• D. Only blood is infectious

Answer: (A)

Standard precautions are based on the idea that many body fluids, secretions, excretions, mucous membranes, and non‑intact skin can carry infectious agents and pose a transmission risk. Because pathogens can be present in blood and in fluids such as urine, saliva, sputum, vomit, stool, and other secretions—even when patients appear well—healthcare workers must use appropriate PPE and practice strict hand hygiene with every patient encounter. Sweat is not considered infectious under these precautions, which is why it’s excluded in the inclusive list. This broad assumption underpins the need to treat all appropriate body fluids and contact with mucous membranes or broken skin as potentially infectious, guiding protective measures to prevent transmission.